Member of the German Bundestag (federal parliament), Joana Cotarhas expressed his support for making bitcoin legal tender in Germany, in an exclusive bitcoin“>interview with Cointelegraph. Cotar told the publication that he wants to begin a “preliminary examination” of the legal framework to officially recognize bitcoin as legal tender in the country.
“This includes ensuring legal security for companies and citizens… We need to combat potential risks such as money laundering, tax evasion and other illegal activities associated with bitcoin. But without stifling the innovation and freedom aspects of bitcoin,” he said.
To promote this issue and raise awareness in the German parliament, Cotar has started “bitcoin in the Bundestag” bitcoin-im-bundestag.de/bitcoin/das-problem-und-warum-bitcoin-wichtig-ist/”>initiative
The parliamentarian declared that she is totally focused on bitcoin and that other cryptocurrencies on the market do not interest her:
“Establishing a formal Bundestag committee that recognizes the technological differences between bitcoin and other cryptoassets and primarily addresses the importance of bitcoin to our society is very important to us,” he continued. “My initiative is just bitcoin.”
Cotar has also been an outspoken critic of the European Central Bank’s digital currency plans. Last week, he proudly sported a bitcoin t-shirt while speaking out against the digital euro, stating that “no one needs the digital euro. Except an EZB and politicians who have something else on their mind.”
As the digital currency debate heats up in Europe, the role bitcoin will play in Germany remains uncertain. However, Cotar’s endorsement adds fuel to the ongoing debate, drawing more attention to the role bitcoin is starting to play in traditional financial systems and how governments will respond.
