Bitcoin Policy UK
Bitcoin Policy UK publishes research and briefing papers alongside its consultation responses. This page brings together that work, from a critique of the European Central Bank’s Bitcoin analysis and a briefing on Bitcoin as a national reserve asset to studies of geothermal mining in Montserrat and balancing the UK grid. Consultation responses and open letters are collected in Policy & Consultation Work.
Alongside this collective work sits Susie Violet Ward’s reporting on the same themes, including central bank research, strategic reserves and UK regulation.
Published by Bitcoin Policy UK
Proposes using a small Bitcoin mine to monetise stranded geothermal and solar power in Montserrat, helping improve the economics of the island's planned geothermal plant.
Read the summary on pressfilesREAD SUMMARY → Read the research paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →Joint paper by Satoshi Action Education, Axiom and Bitcoin Policy UK
Responds point by point to an ECB working paper on the distributional consequences of Bitcoin, challenging its claims on wealth concentration and inequality and its framing of central bank digital currencies as the better option.
Read the summary on pressfilesREAD SUMMARY → Read the paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →Published by Bitcoin Policy UK
Argues that Bitcoin mining can act as flexible, interruptible demand that buys surplus renewable power, citing a projected 72 TWh of annual oversupply by 2030. It sets out three ownership models, including National Grid or GB Energy facilities.
Read the summary on pressfilesREAD SUMMARY → Read the paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →Published by Bitcoin Policy UK
Argues that the UK needs a Bitcoin policy and makes three recommendations: let Bitcoin businesses and holders operate freely, study mining's role in reaching net zero, and keep the UK's Bitcoin holdings as a Treasury reserve asset.
Read the summary on pressfilesREAD SUMMARY → Read the briefing paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →Published by Bitcoin Policy UK
Prepared at the APPG's request after its meeting on 4 March 2024. It documents UK banks restricting payments to crypto exchanges, businesses withdrawing services from the UK and new frictions for customers, and contrasts this with the FCA saying it could not act against an unregulated meme coin.
Read the briefing paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →Published by Satoshi Action Fund with Bitcoin Policy UK
A one-page briefing on how Bitcoin mining can cut methane emissions, use curtailed wind and solar power and help balance electricity grids, with links to supporting research.
Read the briefing paper (PDF)BITCOINPOLICY.UK →A practical guide to protecting your privacy online and when using Bitcoin, on Education & Outreach.
Sent to every MP with a four-point agenda for Bitcoin policy reform, on Parliament & Politics.
Presents Bitcoin as a strategic opportunity for the UK and argues that the FCA's “restricted mass market investment” category drives activity offshore.
Warns that the personal data collection and retention CARF requires creates privacy and personal safety risks.
The FCA's lifting of its ban on retail access to crypto exchange traded notes, and the barriers that remain.
The Bitcoin for Institutions event in London, contrasting institutional adoption in the US with hesitation in the UK.
Proposals in the US, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, Brazil and Poland to hold Bitcoin in national reserves.
The ECB working paper on Bitcoin and wealth inequality, and the rebuttal published in response.
Germany's sales of seized Bitcoin and Joana Cotar's call for a national Bitcoin strategy.
New FCA rules on cryptoasset promotions, which came into force in the same week the US approved spot Bitcoin ETFs.