Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Stefan Berger said that although the Free Democratic Party (FDP) may rely on Bitcoin, Bitcoin itself "doesn’t need" the FDP. Berger made this statement in a January 6 post on X.
"The FDP needs Bitcoin," said Berger. "Bitcoin doesn't need the FDP."
According to the FDP's 2025 manifesto, the advancement of cryptocurrencies and digital ledger technology, including the approval of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), aims to promote the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as currency reserves by institutions such as the European Central Bank and Deutsche Bundesbank. This initiative seeks to enhance the resilience of the European monetary system. The manifesto also emphasizes maintaining cash as a payment method to protect user privacy in a digital euro, avoiding mandatory usage or financial risks.
Stefan Berger's X post
| X
Berger has called for the European Union to appoint a dedicated representative for cryptocurrency. "The EU needs a crypto representative," he said. His statement, shared on X on December 6, followed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's announcement of David O. Sacks as the White House Artificial Intelligence and Crypto Czar. Sacks will oversee U.S. policy on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, aiming to position the country as a global leader while addressing concerns about Big Tech bias and free speech, according to Crypto Republique.
Former German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has advocated for including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the reserves of the European Central Bank and Bundesbank to bolster financial resilience. According to Handelsblatt, Lindner pointed to the United States, where the incoming Trump administration is considering adding Bitcoin to the Federal Reserve’s reserves alongside traditional assets like gold. Lindner cautioned that Germany and Europe could fall behind if they do not adopt similar strategies.
Berger represents North Rhine-Westphalia as an MEP for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), covering regions such as Lower Rhine, Düsseldorf, and Mettmann since 2019. He serves on the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), focusing on competition, digitalization, innovation, and crypto assets, according to his website.