Joana Cotar embarked on her political career in 2013 when she joined the newly formed Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. It was during this time that she was introduced to Bitcoin by her brother. In 2017, Cotar was elected as a member of the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, representing the AfD. However, she left the party in 2022 and became an independent member of parliament (MP).
Inspired by her studies of the Austrian School of Economics and her deep dive into Bitcoin, Cotar saw an opportunity to promote the cryptocurrency on the political stage. In late 2023, she proposed a draft bill to the Bundestag, calling for the government to make Bitcoin more accessible in Germany. The bill included provisions for allowing citizens to pay taxes with BTC and exploring how Bitcoin mining could stabilize the energy grid and monetize renewable energy. Cotar’s ultimate goal is to make Bitcoin legal tender in Germany.
However, Cotar faced challenges in convincing her fellow MPs of the benefits of Bitcoin, as many of them lacked basic knowledge about cryptocurrencies and only heard about the negative aspects. To raise awareness and educate her colleagues, Cotar launched the “Bitcoin im Bundestag” initiative, which will host a launch event on February 22, 2024.
Cotar believes that if Germany were to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, it would bring about significant changes in society. It would give individuals more control over their money and limit the government’s power to manipulate the currency. Additionally, she sees it as an opportunity to attract innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs to Germany.
While Cotar acknowledges that implementing Bitcoin as legal tender won’t happen overnight, she believes that starting with smaller steps, such as allowing tax payments in BTC, can create positive awareness and pave the way for broader adoption. She also advocates for making Bitcoin mining in Germany more favorable by providing incentives rather than subsidies.
Cotar acknowledges that there may be opposition to making Bitcoin legal tender, particularly from conservative parties who fear losing control. However, she believes that by highlighting the benefits of Bitcoin, such as its potential to stabilize the energy grid, she can change their minds.
When it comes to the future of her political career, Cotar is uncertain. She doesn’t see herself being re-elected in 2025 and is not interested in joining another party for the sake of staying in politics. However, she remains committed to advocating for Bitcoin and believes she can continue to do so through lobbying.
Overall, Cotar’s journey as a politician has been driven by her desire to fight for freedom and defend the principles she holds dear. Through her work with Bitcoin, she hopes to bring about positive change and create a society that values economic freedom and individual sovereignty.