I would have thought so as they wanted to launch their e-ecurrency but the fact that they are part of the EU will prevent them from being first.
I would see South-Korea (it is not quite western though :D).
In continental Europe, Siwtzerland or Sweden/Finland I would say.
Fair point, tbh though I don't think there's so much legal red-tape which could prevent, say Estonia's CB to put Bitcoin on their balance sheet, but happy to be enlightened here.
More broadly I think I think BTC as a CB asset will start in those smaller countries with weak currency which can't defend a peg with the USD, they might as well have BTC which they can exchange 24/7 for USD and pay for trade, much less hassle than defending a peg imo (though custody risks are real here)
what do you think @vlemon?
There is not much legal red-tape but as Europe gives them a lot of subsidies, they cannot bite the hand that feed them ๐
Concerning your second point, 100% agreeing. Iran or Venezuela as we saw because of sanctions turn to Cryptocurrencies. I could see the people of Turkey and SA or other countries turn even more to Bitcoin but the government if they would do it would have to do it in secret. If its citizens know what it is doing, it will further deppreciate their national currencies.
And we know they need this money printing machine to help them stay in power.