Bitcoin

German lawmaker and Bitcoin activist Joana Cotar has urged the government to stop its “hasty” Bitcoin selling spree and adopt it as a “strategic reserve currency” to shield against risks in the traditional system.
“[I] urge you to refrain from a hasty disposal of state-owned Bitcoin,” the Bitcoin (<a href="https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-price">BTC</a>)-friendly politician wrote to members of Germany’s government on July 4.
Cotar said Bitcoin could help Germany diversify its treasury assets,&nbsp;<a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/persistent-inflation-will-be-key-in-bitcoin-s-run-to-200k-crypto-fund-manager">hedge against inflation</a> and currency devaluation and promote innovation in the country.
A further sell-off is not “sensible” and is “counterproductive” for the country, said Cotar, who also used the letter to invite four German politicians to the “Bitcoin Strategies for Nation States” event in October 2023 to potentially orange-pill her peers. 
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 Source: <a href="https://x.com/JoanaCotar/status/1808888782738911614" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Joana Cotar</a>
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The German government has now sold 7,583 Bitcoin — worth $434.9 million at current prices — since June 19, <a href="https://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/explorer/entity/germany" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">according</a> to cryptocurrency intelligence platform Arkham Intelligence.
The latest sell-off saw <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/german-government-transfers-3000-btc-exchanges-wallet">$172 million worth of transfers</a> to cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase, Kraken and Bitstamp on July 4.
Germany now only holds 42,274 Bitcoin, worth $2.4 billion, across all its wallets.
Cotar wants the <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/german-government-transfers-3000-btc-exchanges-wallet">mass selling to stop now</a>, stressing that Bitcoin could strengthen the <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/geopolitics-of-bitcoin-implications-global-power-dynamics">country’s economic independence</a> and increase its resilience to external financial uncertainties.
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 Original and translated version of Cotar’s letter to Germany’s government. Source: Joana Cotar
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“Instead of divesting, I recommend developing a comprehensive Bitcoin strategy. This could include keeping Bitcoin in the state treasury, issuing Bitcoin bonds or creating a conducive regulatory environment,” Cotar said in the translated statement.
Part of that Bitcoin strategy would involve establishing a legal framework to promote Bitcoin-based innovation and attract top talent worldwide. 
Related: <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-traders-tell-pesimissts-buy-the-dip-bitcoin">‘Buy the dip’ mentions on social platforms surge as Bitcoin stumbles</a>
The German government hasn’t confirmed whether it intends on selling the rest of its Bitcoin. 
Germany already has a keen buyer, though, with Tron founder Justin Sun recently <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/justin-sun-offers-buy-german-government-bitcoin">offering to buy</a> the country’s $2.3 worth of Bitcoin to minimize impact on the market.
However, Germany’s continued Bitcoin sell-off and <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/the-mt-gox-bitcoin-heist">Mt. Gox’s $9 billion reimbursement plan</a> to creditors have been credited to Bitcoin’s recent price slump.
<a href="https://cointelegraph.com/explained/what-determines-the-bitcoin-price">Bitcoin is currently trading</a><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/explained/what-determines-the-bitcoin-price"></a> at $57,810, down 6% over the last week and 18% over the last month. 
Magazine:&nbsp;<a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/financial-crisis-end-crypto-bull-run/">Could a financial crisis end crypto’s bull run?</a>

German MP urges government to stop ‘hasty’ Bitcoin sell-off

Cointelegraph

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