Bitcoin Adoption: Samson Mow Eyes European Expansion After Exciting France Invite
Interest in Bitcoin adoption is growing globally, and recent developments suggest Europe could be the next frontier. A key figure in the nation-state Bitcoin movement, Samson Mow, is now setting his sights firmly on the European continent, particularly after a significant meeting in Prague.
Samson Mow Meets French Lawmaker on France Bitcoin Plans
Samson Mow, founder of JAN3 and a prominent advocate for nation-state Bitcoin adoption, recently met with French Member of European Parliament, Sarah Knafo, at BTC Prague. This meeting signals potential new momentum for Bitcoin in France. Mow expressed his enthusiasm following the discussion, stating his hope to initiate a wave of Bitcoin adoption starting in France and potentially extending across all of Europe.
Key topics discussed included:
- Developing a Strategic Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve for France.
- Promoting regulations friendly to Bitcoin and crypto assets.
Sarah Knafo confirmed the meeting on her social media, emphasizing that “France must take hold of these issues.” She described Mow as an expert on state-level Bitcoin adoption, noting his advisory role to El Salvador’s president.
Pushing Nation-State Bitcoin Forward
Samson Mow’s focus on nation-state Bitcoin adoption intensified after he departed Blockstream in March 2022 to launch JAN3. His firm is dedicated to assisting countries in integrating Bitcoin into their national strategies. The invitation from Knafo for Mow and his team to visit France indicates a serious interest from within the French government circles regarding Bitcoin’s potential role.
Knafo also met with Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, further highlighting a growing interest among some European officials in engaging with leading figures in the Bitcoin space.
Momentum for France Bitcoin Builds
The invitation to Samson Mow coincides with increasing activity around Bitcoin in France. Both public and private sectors show signs of greater involvement:
- Private Sector: Paris-based Blockchain Group, which identifies as Europe’s first Bitcoin treasury firm, recently acquired 624 Bitcoin for over 60 million euros. This purchase brings their total holdings to 1,471 BTC, demonstrating corporate confidence.
- Public Sector: France’s state-owned bank, Bpifrance, announced plans to invest 25 million euros in cryptocurrencies to support local crypto and blockchain projects. While not direct Bitcoin reserve action, it signals state-level engagement with the digital asset space.
These examples show a developing landscape for Bitcoin within the French financial ecosystem.
Is Europe Bitcoin Adoption Lagging?
Despite positive signs in France, some industry figures express concern that overall Europe Bitcoin adoption is not keeping pace with other regions globally. Elisenda Fabrega, general counsel at Brickken, noted in March that European corporate adoption remains limited.
According to Fabrega, this hesitation stems from several factors:
- Regulatory uncertainty or cautious stances.
- Institutional signaling that has yet to definitively endorse Bitcoin.
- Market maturity differences compared to other regions.
Europe’s regulatory framework for crypto, MiCA, became fully enforceable in December 2024, providing clarity but perhaps also imposing hurdles that affect the speed of adoption. Fabrega highlighted that Europe has not yet taken a definitive stance on Bitcoin as a reserve asset, which is a key aspect of Samson Mow’s nation-state focus.
Looking Ahead: Europe Bitcoin Prospects
Samson Mow’s planned visit to France and ongoing discussions with figures like Sarah Knafo suggest that efforts to drive nation-state Bitcoin adoption in Europe are intensifying. While challenges related to regulation and institutional acceptance persist, the open dialogue and increasing private sector activity in countries like France indicate a potential shift. The coming months could reveal whether France takes a leading role in a broader Europe Bitcoin adoption movement.
Conclusion
Samson Mow’s mission to promote nation-state Bitcoin adoption has landed him an invitation to France, sparking optimism for wider integration across Europe. Discussions about strategic reserves and favorable regulations highlight a potential path forward. While challenges remain regarding the pace of adoption across the continent, the engagement from French lawmakers and increasing corporate and public sector involvement signal a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s potential. The focus is now on whether these initial steps in France can indeed catalyze a larger wave of Bitcoin adoption throughout Europe.
