- European lawmakers remain silent on Trump’s Bitcoin reserve while focusing on launching the digital euro in October 2025.
- The ECB remains critical of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, making it unlikely for EU nations to adopt BTC in national treasuries.
- The U.S. and EU take opposing approaches, with Trump favoring Bitcoin while Europe pushes for a centralized digital currency.
As President Donald Trump’s Bitcoin reserve order shakes up the global financial landscape, European lawmakers remain quiet, instead doubling down on their plans for a digital euro set to launch in October 2025.
No European Response to the U.S. Bitcoin Reserve
Trump’s March 7 executive order established a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, using seized BTC from criminal cases rather than purchasing new Bitcoin from the market. While this move could reshape financial reserves globally, European policymakers have yet to respond.
“The ECB has historically and currently remains critical of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, effectively closing the doors to all EU member states,” said Anastasija Plotnikova, CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum.
Adding Bitcoin to a national treasury isn’t simple. It requires legislative and executive processes, often needing central bank support, which Europe lacks, Plotnikova explained.
Digital Euro Takes Center Stage
Instead of exploring Bitcoin reserves, European lawmakers are prioritizing their central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative—the digital euro.
“This stems from the ECB’s firm stance against holding Bitcoin in its reserves,” said James Wo, CEO of DFG, noting that European officials are entirely focused on rolling out the digital euro.
However, cracks are already forming in the EU’s financial infrastructure. A recent ECB Target 2 (T2) payment system outage caused massive transaction delays, raising concerns about whether the central bank can effectively manage a digital currency.
Digital Euro Set for October 2025 Launch
Despite growing skepticism, ECB President Christine Lagarde remains committed to launching the digital euro by October 2025.
“We are ensuring the digital euro coexists with cash, addressing privacy concerns by making it pseudonymous and cash-like in nature,” Lagarde said during a recent news conference.
While CBDCs promise greater financial inclusion, critics warn about government overreach and surveillance.
The U.S. and the EU are taking opposing approaches to digital assets—while the U.S. is embracing Bitcoin, the EU is centralizing digital currency. Trump’s administration has openly opposed CBDCs, arguing they give governments too much control over financial transactions.
The Bigger Picture: Crypto vs. CBDCs
The divide between Bitcoin-first policies and CBDC-focused financial systems is widening. The U.S. and the EU are on different paths, and with the digital euro’s launch on the horizon, the debate over financial freedom vs. centralization is just getting started.
