- Newly founded Bitcoin Advocacy BTCBV Group Faces Crowded Field of Crypto Organizations
- 50 founding members present at the Bundestag, including independent parliamentarian Cotar
- Just a new version of competing “people’s fronts as satirized in Life of Brian?
Thu Sep 26 2024 – 16:44:40 UTC — The Bitcoin Federal Association (Bitcoin Bundesverband, BTCBV) said it has officially launched, becoming the latest voice in Germany’s increasingly crowded Bitcoin landscape.
Even if you speak German, the naming of the BTCBV association is easy to be confuse with well-established organizations like the Blockchain Bundesverband and even Bundesverband Bitcoin e.V., an association of the German “Verein” type that has not been very active of late. This is making it challenging for the average observer to distinguish one group from another.
Bitcoiner’s Klingon
As prof of how serious BTCBV is about its cause, they added the group formed at “Bitcoin Blockheight 862968”, that is Bitcoiner’s Klingon for “sometime on a rainy Berlin afternoon last Thursday”.
BTCBV’s new leadership immediately vowed to make Bitcoin companies a factor in Germany’s federal and state legislation. This mission was seconded by Joana Cotar, an independent Member of Germany’s parliament Bundestag and Bitcoin activist with her constituency in Frankfurt, Germany.
Why take BTCBV seriously?
In a Germany blockchain and cryptocurrency associations seem to be sprouting up almost as fast as tech startups, questions are emerging about what sets the new BTCBV apart?
Always look on the bright side of Life?
For many, this proliferation of crypto associations recalls the confusion satirized in Life of Brian with its overlapping and competing “people’s fronts.” The German Bitcoin scene—uniquely passionate and fragmented in Europe’s largest economy—is no exception. With varying objectives and strategies, these associations often compete for influence, adding complexity to an already intricate regulatory discussion.
Who are the new kids from the BTCBV block?
With 50 founding members present at the Bundestag and 22 joining online, the association claims it will strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for Bitcoin companies across Germany and the European Union.
Leadership and Aims
“Until now, Bitcoin companies have not been fully considered in the legislative process, but we will change that.” BTCBV chairman Philipp J.A. Hartmannsgruber.
The newly formed BTCBV, chaired by Philipp J.A. Hartmannsgruber, aims to centralize representation for the Bitcoin industry in German and EU politics. Hartmannsgruber framed the association’s mission in ambitious terms.
The association’s board also includes prominent names like Vice Chairman Daniel Wingen and Chief Financial Officer Matthias Steger. Additional board members are Evelyn Brock, Jens Leinert, Dr. Mathias Linkerhand, and Lars Eichhorst.
A Growing Power Struggle in the Bitcoin Space
The founding members represent a cross-section of the Bitcoin industry, including companies like Coinfinity, Munich International Mining, and 21bitcoin. Individuals such as former AfD Bundestag member Cotar or Alex von Frankenberg, joined as non-voting members, and underscoring their determination to push Bitcoin further into mainstream political debate.
Cotar previously brought the issue into Bundestag committee discussions, calling for a more open regulatory stance on Bitcoin. As Germany debates the future of its digital currency landscape, the BTCBV’s launch signals a push to give Bitcoin-friendly companies a louder voice in this ongoing battle.
Navigating a Complex Ecosystem
The emergence of the Bitcoin Bundesverband adds to an already complex ecosystem of advocacy groups, each vying for influence in shaping the future of cryptocurrency in Germany. For companies operating in this space, it is increasingly difficult to decide which organization best represents their interests. With groups like Blockchain Bundesverband and Bundesverband Bitcoin e.V. already entrenched, it remains to be seen whether the BTCBV will carve out a meaningful role or simply add to the noise.
The German Bitcoin scene continues to grow, but with more associations forming, there’s a risk of diluting the influence of any single group. For companies, investors, and politicians, navigating this maze of organizations could become as challenging as understanding Bitcoin itself.