France
Bitcoin Countries
France is home to significant Bitcoin infrastructure companies including Ledger (the world's leading hardware wallet maker) and ACINQ (developer of Phoenix wallet and Eclair Lightning implementation). France operates under the EU's MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework and has a large retail Bitcoin trading market. The French government has auctioned seized Bitcoin and holds a policy of supporting regulated digital asset businesses.
Details
- Region
- Western Europe
- Notable For
- Home to Ledger (largest hardware wallet maker) and ACINQ (Eclair/Phoenix)
- Notable Companies
- Ledger, ACINQ, Paymium
- Bitcoin Legal Status
- Legal; regulated under EU MiCA framework
- Regulatory Framework
- EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation)
More Bitcoin Countries
El Salvador
El Salvador made history on June 9, 2021, as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender under President Nayib Bukele. The government continues to buy approximately 1 BTC per day, with its national treasury holding approximately 7,565 BTC as of February 2026. El Salvador built the state-sponsored Chivo wallet, launched volcanic geothermal Bitcoin mining operations, and proposed Bitcoin City — a special economic zone powered by a volcano. In 2025, El Salvador reached an IMF agreement that modified Bitcoin's legal tender status while maintaining its Bitcoin treasury strategy.
Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most Bitcoin-friendly countries in the world, with the canton of Zug (dubbed "Crypto Valley") accepting Bitcoin for government services since 2016. Several Swiss cantons accept Bitcoin for tax payments, the country has clear digital asset property rights, and Switzerland is home to dozens of major Bitcoin and blockchain companies. Swiss banks like SEBA and Sygnum Bank offer institutional Bitcoin services, and the Swiss National Bank has explored digital asset frameworks.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has positioned itself as a global hub for Bitcoin and crypto businesses, with dedicated regulatory regimes in Dubai (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority — VARA) and Abu Dhabi (ADGM). Abu Dhabi holds Bitcoin through the Phoenix Group, a publicly listed Bitcoin mining company. Major crypto exchanges including Binance have received licenses to operate in the UAE. The country's zero income tax, strategic location, and regulatory clarity have attracted significant Bitcoin institutional and mining infrastructure.
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