Cryptocurrencies have entered the political debate more widely in recent years. And if the majority of candidates for the 2022 presidential election have said little about the subject, new themes have emerged. Cryptoast therefore reveals to you exclusively the positions of the various parties on this subject.
- Nathalie Arthaud
- Nicolas Dupont-Aignan
- Anne Hidalgo
- Yannick Jadot
- John Lassalle
- Marine Le Pen
- Emmanuel Macron
- Jean-Luc Melenchon
- Valerie Pécresse
- Philippe Poutou
- Fabien Roussel
- Eric Zemmour
Are you in contact with a political figure who did not speak in our article? Write to us at presse@cryptoast.fr We will update this article regularly with feedback from candidates who want to express themselves on the subject.
Candidates who still speak little on the subject
Cryptoast conducted the survey on the proposals and positions of the candidates with regard to the crypto-asset sector. We recall that a small number of candidates mentioned cryptocurrencies in the current campaign, and very few programs mention them . This is a known trend: the French political class generally expresses little on the field, which it seems to have little control over.
The year 2021, however, saw the crypto ecosystem explode, which prompted some of the candidates to take a position on the subject. We contacted all the presidential candidates to get their feedback. Some agreed to answer our questions directly, but this is not the majority. We therefore offer you an overview of what they expressed, before and during the 2022 presidential campaign, to get an idea of the ideological currents that seem to predominate in France.
Of course, we specify that this article is offered for informational purposes , and that it is not an endorsement by Cryptoast of any particular candidate. We present them to you in alphabetical order.
Nathalie Arthaud (LO) – Can cryptocurrencies really help the poorest?
The Lutte Ouvrière candidate confirms exclusively to Cryptoast that she considers cryptocurrencies to be part of the evolution of global thought surrounding the capitalist system , which she fights in her political positioning:
“ The question of cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin , invented a little over 10 years ago by computer scientists who wanted to create, thanks to the Internet, a virtual currency exchangeable by anonymous transactions, is only one aspect of the current evolution of the capitalist economy , even if it is somehow also symptomatic of it. »
However, she makes a link between cryptocurrencies, money laundering and crime, a position often shared by other actors of the French political class. Nathalie Arthaud also points to the speculation surrounding crypto-assets :
“ Reliable, anonymous transactions, which did not require going through a bank account, beyond the control of the States, it was very practical for selling drugs, laundering dirty money or doing tax evasion. Bitcoin then interested all the mafias in the world , such as speculators, the main billionaires, then banks on all continents and now central banks. They could not stay away from such opportunities for investment and enrichment. »
However, the Lutte Ouvrière candidate makes a good distinction between practices using cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology itself, judging that the two must be separated:
“ I don’t know what will happen in the future, or if this type of medium of exchange will be useful in any way to humanity in the future. But I am certain that it is the domination of the capitalists that must be attacked and not this or that means of payment , this or that vector of speculation. »
In an article that the monthly Lutte Ouvrière devoted to the subject in July 2021, this same distinction was made:
“ Cryptocurrencies , especially Bitcoin, appear to be a safe haven against inflation largely because they represent a limited supply. […] Some economists therefore compare B itcoin to gold. […] This way of thinking explains why Elon Musk tweeted last December: “ Bitcoin is almost as bad as fiat money” . Here, everything is in the “almost”. The boom in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies therefore reflects, to some extent, the bourgeoisie’s lack of confidence in the ability of states to regulate the economy , and their concern for the future. »
In the same article, Lutte Ouvrière considered Bitcoin mining to be a “ waste ,” but noted the appeal of cryptocurrency to certain economies such as El Salvador, which has adopted BTC as legal tender :
“ In a country like Argentina, which has suffered several financial crises accompanied by devaluations, cryptocurrencies may appear as a means of protecting against a new limitation on bank withdrawals imposed by the government. Of course, all this does not concern the poorest , but rather those who have some savings to spare. »
Lutte Ouvrière therefore seems to take note of the evolution of the ecosystem, while firmly condemning speculation and placing the debate on the side of the poorest.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (DLF) – Regulation at state level?
We contacted the campaign team of Nicolas Dupont-Aignant, who initially showed themselves open to discussing cryptocurrencies, but we were finally refused , so we cannot confirm the positioning of the Debout la France candidate for this presidential campaign.
The party has, it seems, said little about cryptocurrencies. In August 2019, Lionel Mazurié, national digital delegate for Debout La France, had however published a post on the subject . It included the usual argument on cryptocurrencies and crime :
“ Cryptocurrency, de facto without any real political and economic governance, is also a medium that is of great interest to countries under embargo or economic sanctions (Venezuela, Iran, Ukraine, etc.) as well as mafia or terrorist organizations (the Islamic State in particular). The volatility of these assets is conducive to their use for fraud (-72% in 2018 for Bitcoin after having multiplied its value by 14 in 2017…). »
Lionel Mazurié also pointed to the energy consumption of Bitcoin, which still relied heavily on Chinese miners . In this same article, the party was open to regulation at the level of individual countries, and not of Europe:
“ Cryptocurrencies will inevitably develop, which requires us to reflect on this new state of affairs in order to regulate them as best as possible in accordance with our democracy. It is urgent that the European countries which so wish regain control of the European Commission, which is incapable of proposing cooperation which makes it possible to counterbalance the monopoly of the American multinationals. »
In the same spirit, Debout la France was considering a control of the European Central Bank (ECB), in order to actively monitor cryptocurrencies:
“ Only democratic control by the European Central Bank can allow, among other things, active monitoring and supervision of cryptocurrencies , in particular the control of their fluctuation. It is also necessary to dominate, steer and govern these financial flows to avoid any fraud, money laundering and fraudulent or evasive use of the legal framework. »
Nicolas Dupont-Aignant’s party also wanted to “ ensure the traceability of the cryptocurrencies necessary for taxation so that everyone pays a fair contribution and that international tax evasion, already massive, does not increase further ”.
Debout la France was therefore positioning itself at the time from the point of view of the “ electronic payment sovereignty ” of France, an idea which also underlies a good part of Nicolas Dupont-Aignant’s program for the 2022 presidential election.
Anne Hidalgo (PS) – Supporting the crypto industry, regulating at European level
For her first presidential candidacy, Anne Hidalgo spoke about cryptocurrencies, through a digital manifesto . In particular, it takes up ideas defended by the Association for the Development of Digital Assets (ADAN), which had submitted proposals to the candidates .
In her manifesto, the Socialist Party candidate explains that she wants to promote the development of the sector:
“ We want to strategically support the development of cryptocurrency : financing windows will be created for public investors. The future government will also endeavor to prevent the creation of hegemonic platforms by adopting antitrust legislation. »
Anne Hidalgo reiterated this mistrust in the face of a hegemony of certain actors, during a debate between candidates which was held within the Parisian startup incubator Station F :
“ One day we will have to regulate [the cryptocurrencies] , beyond the economic question, there is the danger of this seizure of a large group which has lost control of this currency. »
The Socialist Party candidate is also counting on Europe to harmonize the regulatory framework surrounding crypto-assets:
“ It is necessary to join forces in a community framework, on the scale of the European Union , for the digital transition. An efficient and prosperous common market presupposes the harmonization of national legislation and the adoption of a European regulatory framework for the management of crypto currencies and the blockchain. »
According to her, this will be used in particular to fight against ransomware , which often uses cryptocurrencies . It thus wishes to prohibit “ the insurability of ransomware ”:
“ To prevent computer attacks (phishing, malware, etc.) from being paid for in cryptocurrency, without justice being able to prosecute the attackers. [With] a European regulation, and by an express legislative provision in the insurance code to reinforce the protection of the actors . »
Yannick Jadot (EELV) – Openness to crypto companies, distrust of ecology
The candidate from Europe Ecologie-Les-Verts unsurprisingly displays mistrust regarding the ecological cost of blockchain technologies, but is more open to the technical opportunities they represent . He thus confirms exclusively to Cryptoast his interest in the subject, in particular for French companies:
“ Crypto-assets are interesting innovations, which have a certain potential. […] we see many crypto companies being structured, including two first unicorns, in a landscape of strong foreign competition. France is therefore, despite what we often hear about our administration and our excessive love of standards, a favorable development ecosystem . »
But he makes a distinction between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies:
“ These are indeed assets, recognized as such by French law. With the exception of countries where the level of banking is very low, such as El Salvador, it makes no sense to consider them as a currency . »
Regarding the ecological cost of cryptocurrencies using proof of work , Yannick Jadot explains that “all renewable” is not, in his view, a panacea in itself:
“ The solutions often invoked, such as the transition […] to functioning under proof of stake, cannot today be considered as truly operational (the stumbling block of MiCa for example), and nothing, not even after a switching to renewable energies, cannot justify such consumption . […] We often hear the argument that if the energy used is of renewable origin, then there is no longer a problem: this is false. We see it today, energy is a major issue and we cannot accept any waste. »
The MiCa regulation , under study at the European level, has caused a lot of ink to flow in the crypto community. On this point, Yannick Jadot is in favor of regulation at European level:
“ The harmonization of European legislation is a necessity , and regulation of crypto-assets is normal and relevant given the size of this market, whether we like it or not. MiCa lays down interesting bases. »
He also judges that the principled opposition of the crypto industry is not constructive:
“ I am sorry to see certain reactions from players in the sector who are opposed on principle and without distinction to anything that poses a legal or regulatory framework. The monetary and financial system is part of our social contract and the recent development of crypto-assets obviously has significant environmental, social and economic consequences that cannot remain unthought of in public policy. A legal framework, in a democracy, is not a threat . »
Finally, Yannick Jadot informed Cryptoast of his position regarding the issuance of a central bank digital currency (MNBC), at the European level:
“ I am in favor of the digital euro project which meets a real need, but let’s not confuse this with crypto-assets. A central bank digital euro would not be managed […] in a decentralized way. On the other hand, it has great potential if it is truly oriented towards the general interest. »
The candidate from Europe Ecologie-Les-Verts also considers that MNBCs can allow greater inclusiveness:
“[A digital euro] could open up access to central bank money, currently reserved for banking and financial players in its dematerialized form. It could make our payment systems more inclusive and less costly for the most disadvantaged categories [and] allow the implementation of new policies […] by making monetary transfers possible for all European citizens. Finally, it could strengthen the legitimacy of the single currency by putting it more at the service of the objectives shared by European citizens. It is a vector of progress that we must all take advantage of . »
Jean Lassalle (Resist!) – No known position
The candidate of Résistons has not, to our knowledge, mentioned cryptocurrencies in a public way. We tried to reach the campaign teams, but we did not receive a response.
Marine Le Pen (RN) – From Bitcoin Ban to Strict Regulation
Marine Le Pen, who is a presidential candidate for the third time in 2022, spoke quite early on about cryptocurrencies. In 2016, she went so far as to call for Bitcoin to be banned , deeming it dangerous. We can thus read in a press release dating from the same year published by the National Front (which has since become the National Rally):
“ The more money is dematerialized and digitized, the more we will lose ownership of our money, which is one of our fundamental freedoms, and the more the space for our private life is restricted. In the long term, it is a taking hostage of the citizens by the private banks and by a control of all the transactions. […] In the name of digital progress or the fight against terrorism, making cash disappear in favor of virtual currencies is an alienation of man , in favor of the global banking system. »
Hence a conclusion particularly hostile to the sector:
“ The National Front, well anchored in the real economy, recalls that a currency is a national public good, entrusted to the sovereign people. Therefore, as part of the application of his model of economic patriotism, he will prevent the use of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, in France . »
Almost six years later, has the candidate of the National Rally put water in her wine? It would seem so, if we are to believe his latest interventions.
Asked at the microphone of Europe 1 on April 4 , Marine Le Pen indeed made a general response about the regulation of cryptocurrencies. To the question: “ Do you plan to regulate cryptocurrencies? she answered as follows:
“ Yes, probably, I will have to think about the regulation of cryptocurrencies, because money is really an absolute tool of sovereignty . »
The Rassemblement National candidate also made a link between cryptocurrencies and trafficking:
“ It is obvious that if we put in place laws, which are common laws, which make it possible for us to live together, that we can balance an economy, that we can also balance a social protection system, [ …] if we do not regulate the currency, we open the door to total deregulation, to a total absence of politics in the proper sense of the term, and also, as you can well imagine, to traffic which would at that time be out of control . »
On March 30, Jean-Lin Lacapelle, head of Marine Le Pen’s digital campaign, however, returned with more details on the measures envisaged, in an interview with our colleagues from Digital. Asked about the establishment of a specific tax framework dedicated to crypto-assets , he explained:
“ It doesn’t seem necessary to us. We want to integrate them into the common law of the financial markets : it is advantageous for the holders of cryptoassets, because it allows them to avoid the double taxation they currently suffer (one on the liquidation of the assets, and one on the value realized on their investment); and it is also advantageous for society, because it makes it possible to fight against fraud, to criminalize and prosecute insider trading and price manipulation which are legion on these markets. »
The Rassemblement National would also like to promote the emergence of projects that serve the common good:
“ We can also fully envisage a reduced tax regime for crypto-assets backed by technological projects of general interest identified by the State, in order to encourage private investment. »
The Rassemblement National therefore wishes to integrate cryptocurrencies into the existing financial and legal framework, potentially with some flexibility for specific areas.
Emmanuel Macron (LREM) – Developing metaverse technologies and monitoring cryptocurrencies
Outgoing President Emmanuel Macron has spoken several times about cryptocurrencies . His government has also legislated with regard to the sector.
The party of the Republic in March has positioned itself globally for increased surveillance of the domain. As early as 2018, President Macron explained at the Davos economic forum that he considered cryptocurrencies to be too little regulated :
“ We built the IMF, it acquired its legitimacy, it looks at states, part of the financial system, but it does not look at the most deregulated and deregulatory players in the whole system! B itcoin , virtual currencies, shadow banking, all the most aggressive on the financial markets, those that can create financial crises, deregulate systems . »
This is a position that can be found in the measures taken by the government during its five-year term. In November 2018, an amendment concerning the taxation of capital gains in cryptocurrencies required holders to declare any account held abroad , and subjected the gains to high taxation. In May 2019, the PACTE law created the status of digital asset service provider (PSAN) and the optional visa for cryptocurrency fundraising (ICO).
In November 2020, a new turn of the screw was given by the government. While the measures of the PACTE law hitherto only concerned crypto-fiat service providers, they have been extended to a wider range of players :
“ The ordinance adopted by the Council of Ministers subjects, for its part, to these same obligations, service providers for the exchange of digital assets against other digital assets (exchanges known as “crypto-to-crypto”) and platforms trading in these assets. The same obligations will henceforth apply to all of these players. »
We also note that the Minister of Finance Bruno Le Maire has shown some hostility to the cryptocurrency sector. He has on several occasions made the link between the latter and the financing of terrorism, as in 2020 where he explained :
“Cryptocurrencies pose a real terrorist financing problem , I have been saying this for years. »
During the presentation of the November 2020 order, he also explained that he wanted to continue in this dynamic:
https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=ArmineMoondog&dnt=true&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NrZWxldG9uX2xvYWRpbmdfMTMzOTgiOnsiYnVja2V0IjoiY3RhIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19zcGFjZV9jYXJkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9mZiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0Zndfc2Vuc2l0aXZlX21lZGlhX2ludGVyc3RpdGlhbF8xMzk2MyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJpbnRlcnN0aXRpYWwiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjo0fX0%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1336703944421232640&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fcryptoast.fr%2Fdossier-exclusif-propositions-candidats-presidentielle-2022-cryptomonnaies%2F&sessionId=54cc9bc6e1d208393baabecfcc5a7e09566a4c15&siteScreenName=cryptoastblog&theme=light&widgetsVersion=940dd9ee54270%3A1649359550911&width=500px
But the government does not reject everything in its entirety, as far as the blockchain is concerned. During the 2022 presidential campaign, candidate Macron created a surprise by announcing that he wanted to create “ a European metaverse ” . He stated thus:
“ We will fight to build a European metaverse . This is a key subject both for creation, but also for the ability to allow all our creators, whatever their cultural fields and their fields of activity, to create and not depend on actors or ‘Anglo-Saxon or Chinese aggregators, who will be able to completely circumvent the rules of respect for copyright or neighboring rights ‘.
Cédric O, the Secretary of State for Digital, however clarified these statements, explaining that it was not a question of building a public metaverse, but rather of developing the technologies which allow the creation of virtual universes . With plans for alternative graphics engines, developed on the model of Unreal Engine and Unity.
In 2021, we interviewed Cédric O about the regulation of cryptocurrencies. The Secretary of State for Digital confirmed to us at the time that the surveillance of players in the sector was a key issue for the government, in order to fight against the financing of terrorism:
“ Our country and our fellow citizens are exposed to the risk of terrorism and would not understand if we did not act . It is our responsibility to do everything possible to protect them and to prevent all possible breaches. »
Referring to the concerns of the crypto industry, which fears that France is missing the blockchain bandwagon, Cédric O also explained:
“I completely understand these concerns, but I sincerely believe that they are not justified. I don’t think France is missing the blockchain technology train . Indeed, the objective that we share with the players is simple: we want to keep and attract future champions of the sector to France, and provide them with a framework to help them grow and make France a driving force, both innovative and blockchain safe. »
President Macron therefore seems to want to continue in the same direction taken during his mandate if he is re-elected, also focusing on the development of blockchain-related technologies.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) – ” You’re going to get scammed, kids ”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s teams did not respond to our contacts regarding cryptocurrencies. However, we noted an opinion of the candidate of France Insoumise in a video broadcast on May 14, 2020 on his site. Jean-Luc Mélenchon spoke very briefly on the subject , and on finance in general. When we asked him “ How could we put finance back at the service of the real economy? “, he replied as follows:
“ Finance has its own dynamic […] it is to circulate and expand constantly. In this there is neither place for morality, nor place for the general interest . »
Further, he answered the question: “ What do you think of Bitcoin? », and his answer was without appeal:
“ Nothing, you’re going to get ripped off, little ones . Our only hope is to leave Europe. I hope we have more. »
In a blog post published earlier in July 2019, Jean-Luc Mélenchon also expressed his distrust of Facebook’s cryptocurrency project, which has since been abandoned :
“ Facebook had announced the launch of its own cryptocurrency that can be used for all online transactions. The power to mint money has been a prerogative of states for centuries. It is even, with the monopoly of violence, a skill that founded state constructions. The GAFA project is not only to cheat the States, but to replace them . They can count on the liberals of France and elsewhere to facilitate their task. »
More recently, in an interview with ZoneBourse dating from last April, the candidate of France Insoumise clarified his thoughts on the sector and considered that cryptocurrencies were largely based on speculation:
“ Today, we do not consider the blockchain, in its current operating methods and uses, as a technology providing solutions for the major challenges facing humanity. They are essentially tools of financial speculation , which must be supervised and regulated as such, in the same way as other speculative practices, as soon as they generate enrichment. »
A position that he had also confirmed in an interview with Les Numériques : Jean-Luc Mélenchon does not wish to encourage the development of these technologies in France:
“ It’s not a particular subject for us. We are not going to create a particularly favorable tax framework for cryptocurrencies and cryptoassets, as proposed by other candidates. This has no economic interest and does not produce wealth . »
Only exception: the metaverse. But a potentially truncated metaverse, if we are to believe this same interview:
“ The metaverse, I don’t know, but virtual reality is an interesting technology where France is already involved. We intend to continue to invest in training to support France’s excellence in video games and virtual reality. On the other hand, if the metaverse means virtual reality plus supermarket, we are not interested in developing the commercial sphere and the profit that can be made there . »
However, he says he sees an interest in “ cultural aspects, artistic productions, landscapes to explore. »
Distrust is therefore the key word on the side of LFI. We also note that last February, the press reported that Jean-Luc Mélenchon would have planned to visit the Ledger company , like Éric Zemmour. But to our knowledge, this visit did not take place.
Valérie Pécresse (LR) – “ We cannot miss the blockchain revolution ”
The Republican candidate initially spoke little publicly about cryptocurrencies. Last February, however, she mentioned the metaverse , in a rather negative way:
“A connected France which increases the chances of being better informed, of being educated, of working better. Connected, but not isolated in front of her screen, lost in the metaverse”
Valérie Pécresse has however communicated on the estate in recent weeks, as the campaign comes to an end. She claimed that blockchain and related technologies were revolutionary, and worries that France is being overtaken on the international stage . In an interview with our colleagues from Forbes published in February, she explained as follows:
“ We cannot miss the blockchain and cryptocurrency revolution, which challenges public authorities. »
The candidate also makes it an issue of sovereignty, believing that the threat comes from large companies:
“ It is both an opportunity and a threat for States to be dispossessed of their sovereign functions in favor of foreign companies. Facebook’s social network Libra, the since-suspended currency project, was the most visible example. »
In another interview with ZoneBourse , published yesterday, the candidate went even further. She considers that the ecosystem is a means of remunerating content producers more fairly , and promoting “ the emergence of an Internet of entrepreneurs, where value is better shared to remunerate creators ”.
For this, Valérie Pécresse wishes to set up sandboxes in order to experiment in the field:
“ I will make the development of this sector a priority, in the extension of my fight at the head of the Île-de-France region to strengthen the financial center of the Paris region post-Brexit. For this, I will promote pro-innovation regulation. Also, the development of regulatory “sandboxes” is an interesting experimental approach that makes it possible to partially and temporarily derogate from the legal framework in force, before possibly adapting it. »
She also returns to the metaverse, and the need to protect users, judging that cryptocurrencies are not stores of value :
“ I am also aware of the risk of confidence inherent in cryptocurrencies which do not ensure the store of value and therefore pose a speculative risk. Added to this is the protection of young people who find it of great interest. Tomorrow with the metaverse and the development of NFTs, cryptocurrencies may be the currency of young people … ”
As far as regulation is concerned, Valérie Pécresse wants a sovereign approach, also with a legislative framework established at European Union level:
“ I see digital assets as a strategic sector and I will support its dynamism. However, as I had the opportunity to explain, my digital project is first of all regal and sovereign . The adoption of a European framework on crypto-assets with the draft regulation is a step in the right direction and I will ensure this good balance between innovation and protection. »
Valérie Pécresse therefore points to the sovereignty of France in terms of digital currencies, and wishes to develop the cryptocurrency sector in order to secure a place on the international level.
Philippe Poutou (NPA) – “ Cryptocurrencies are not progress ”
The candidate of the New Anti-Capitalist Party has, to our knowledge, mentioned cryptocurrencies very little publicly . We tried to reach the campaign teams, but we did not receive a response. However, we note a recent intervention with our colleagues from ZoneBourse , where Philippe Poutou expressed great mistrust of the ecosystem:
“ Criminals love cryptocurrencies . In 2021, the sums received by illicit addresses increased: the equivalent of 14 billion US dollars passed through addresses linked to illegal activities, against 7.8 billion in 2020 .
Moreover, the NPA candidate makes a link between cryptocurrencies and capitalism, believing that they are only the reflection of a larger problem:
“ Cryptocurrencies, under the guise of modernity, are an element of the capitalist casino . In addition, they have a catastrophic ecological impact. “Mining” consumes a considerable amount of energy. »
The conclusion is therefore particularly hostile to the sector, Philippe Poutou believing that the blockchain industry is not a vector of progress:
“ Cryptocurrencies are nothing like progress from the point of view of the great mass of the population. Any provision aimed at promoting their use must be removed. »
The New Anti-Capitalist Party therefore displays great mistrust on the subject, and considers that cryptocurrencies are not detached from the “classic” financial system , which it fights in its political position.
Fabien Roussel (PCF) – No known positioning
Same thing for the candidate of the Communist Party, who clearly did not speak on the subject . We have not received a response from the party either.
Éric Zemmour (Reconquest!) – Developing startups and a stablecoin in the French euro, reviewing the taxation of NFTs
Eric Zemmour is one of the candidates who spoke publicly about cryptocurrencies. Last February, the candidate of the Reconquête! had visited the French company Ledger , which produces the physical wallets of the same name, such as the Ledger Nano . He had spoken with CEO Pascal Gauthier, and had announced on the occasion a series of measures envisaged for the cryptocurrency sector.
Eric Zemmour wants to reduce taxation for cryptocurrency holders , “ by reinvesting their earnings in the real economy ”. He also mentioned the administrative problem, which can slow down companies and investors. It was Europe in particular that was singled out:
“[We must] put an end to the administrative hell for professionals in the cryptocurrency sector, in particular because of the European overtransposition ”.
He confirmed exclusively to Cryptoast that this would require a rapid overhaul of the laws governing professionals in the crypto-asset sector:
“ We will clarify the various administrative and tax obligations of cryptocurrency professionals, which we will lighten. The various administrative documents, many of which are unsuitable for digital assets, will be quickly updated to take into account the specificities of this sector and there will be a major effort on the part of my government to take into account very quickly the different market innovations and change the laws accordingly . »
In doing so, he wants to make room for French companies, which face strong competition from foreign companies:
“ It is not normal for startups to set up abroad to take advantage of tax and regulatory flexibility and then come to France to compete with our French startups. Innovate, the government will follow you and help you, because the administration is there to help our businesses and not to constrain them, if only by overwhelming them with sometimes superfluous administrative tasks . »
To this end, it proposes an “innovation booklet”, which will operate on a model similar to that of the PEA :
“[It will make it possible] to direct investment towards young, innovative and job-creating companies, with total exemption from income tax and social security contributions on the capital gain made. The minimum holding period of the passbook will be set at 5 years, this passbook may contain investments in funds and directly in the capital of innovative companies and SMEs. »
Among the other measures envisaged by the candidate, we find the extension of the conditions for the allocation of warrants for business creator shares (BSPCE) , “ to allow young French digital companies to involve and retain talent ”. The Reconquest party also wishes to “ return to the decision of the Council of State which considers that a capital gain realized through shares must be subject to social security contributions. No, income from action which is inherently risky is not a salary ”.
Finally, Éric Zemmour unveils two other flagship measures on this particular subject: authorizing two classes of stock market shares with different voting rights in order to allow creators to finance themselves without losing control of their company “ to attract IPOs on la place de Paris ”, but also to protect industrial and commercial secrets:
“ In particular by the promulgation of an IT law requiring that the sensitive data of the French people as well as the strategic data of the State and the private sector be hosted and secured in France on sovereign solutions . »
With regard to central bank digital currencies (MNBC), the candidate Zemmour also wishes to break away from Europe, a key point of his global program. It thus intends to ” promote the emergence of euro stablecoins by the European private sector , without waiting for the digital euro project carried by the European Central Bank (ECB )”.
He also confirms that he intends to encourage French development:
“ I don’t want a euro stablecoin to be the initiative of an American or Chinese company. The emergence of stablecoins from the private sector will be both encouraged and intelligently regulated in order to make France the leader of private stablecoins backed by the euro in Europe . I want cryptocurrency holders to be able to invest in startup capital directly in stablecoins. »
Eric Zemmour also insists on the need to compete with other countries through an advantageous tax framework:
“ We must put an end to these unequal regulations between countries, French blockchain startups are permanently disadvantaged in terms of taxation and standards compared to their competitor which is setting up in Estonia, Cyprus and Switzerland. This is not fair! »
The project of the European Central Bank also seems to him too centralized, and too long in its elaboration:
“ The initiatives to create “Central Bank Digital Currencies” respond to a desire on the part of central banks to increase their power and control over the currency without addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of cryptocurrency users, in particular in regarding trust decentralization and financial disintermediation . The lack of available information and consultation in this phase of developing the digital euro suggests that it will be done without consulting its future users: the “white paper” of the digital euro is not very clear ! »
The ECB’s digital euro will indeed not be available for many years, an aberration according to the Reconquest candidate:
“ Horizon 2025 is an eternity in a world where major technological innovations emerge in a few months! All of this must be accelerated so as not to miss the train that the Americans have already taken. »
Another sentence measure envisaged: the application of separate taxation for non-fungible tokens ( NFT ). Eric Zemmour confirmed to Cryptoast which measures he wanted to apply:
“ We will create a specific tax regime for the taxation of the disposal of NFTs, which will be excluded from the tax regime on capital gains on other digital assets . Today, many French companies issue NFTs for different purposes and we want to encourage them by introducing fairer taxation, determined according to their underlying. »
That is to say that non-fungible tokens will be subject to taxation depending on what they represent, for example in the field of art. If the NFT represents a work of art, its transfer will be modeled on the tax regime applicable to the transfer of works of art, the same for NFTs in the field of real estate.
The Reconquête party therefore wishes to greatly encourage the development of the sector. As with his general program, Éric Zemmour makes these new technologies an issue of sovereignty , which according to him, would allow France to shine.
Conclusion
For the majority, the candidates for the 2022 presidential election therefore show a certain distrust of the industry , even if we note an evolution in the way in which they evoke cryptocurrencies.
During the last French presidential election in 2017, the blockchain sector was practically not mentioned: we can therefore see that it has gained momentum upon its arrival in the speeches of the current candidates.
