Bitstamp is the world’s longest-standing cryptocurrency change, repeatedly offering secure and open entry to crypto since 2011, and The Cryptonomist had the pleasure of interviewing Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux.
With a confirmed observe document and mature strategy to the trade, Bitstamp supplies a safe and clear buying and selling venue to over 5 million people and is the popular alternative for a spread of institutional shoppers searching for a trusted accomplice to take part in crypto markets. Bitstamp is a sector chief in each safety and compliance, with greater than 50 licenses and registrations secured with monetary regulators throughout the globe. Bitstamp is the one crypto change to obtain seven consecutive AA rankings on CC Knowledge’s Change Benchmark report.
- How do you view the present state of the crypto market, and what key developments do you foresee shaping the trade within the coming years?
The crypto market is experiencing volatility, with growing institutional participation, regulatory readability, and integrating AI in buying and selling shaping its trajectory. Whereas volatility stays a attribute function, we’re seeing a shift in the direction of extra stability as key jurisdictions implement clearer regulatory frameworks, significantly in Europe (Mica) and the MAS license within the APAC area.
One pattern to look at in 2025 is the continued exploration of central financial institution digital currencies. Whereas most international locations stay within the early phases of analysis and pilot testing, a number of are anticipated to make additional progress in integrating nationwide property into their monetary methods.
On the similar time, whereas Bitcoin continues to steer the digital asset market, there’s rising investor curiosity in a broader mixture of altcoins, reflecting a extra diversified strategy to the crypto area.
- As a crypto CEO with a powerful background in compliance, how do you see the position of regulation evolving, and what challenges and alternatives does it current for exchanges like Bitstamp?
Regulation is turning into a defining issue for the crypto trade. A well-structured regulatory setting enhances belief and facilitates institutional adoption. Nevertheless, compliance additionally presents challenges, equivalent to elevated operational prices and the necessity for steady adaptation to evolving insurance policies.
For exchanges like Bitstamp, adhering to stringent compliance requirements not solely ensures longevity but additionally supplies a aggressive benefit in attracting institutional and retail shoppers on the lookout for a safe and compliant buying and selling setting. It additionally, importantly, builds belief with customers that we’ve strong compliance frameworks so shoppers can have interaction with the trade safely.
The Markets in Crypto-Property Regulation (MiCA) is a promising begin in the direction of making a uniform regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies throughout the European Union. Nevertheless, to completely leverage the potential of digital property on a world scale, we want harmonised laws throughout completely different jurisdictions. This could assist mitigate regulatory discrepancies, improve cross-border cooperation, and foster a extra cohesive and safe world crypto ecosystem.
- Bitstamp just lately made adjustments to align with MiCA laws, together with delisting EURT. How do you steadiness regulatory compliance with sustaining a various vary of buying and selling choices to your customers?
Bitstamp prioritises regulatory adherence whereas striving to keep up a sturdy providing for our customers. The latest delisting of EURT aligns with MiCA laws and displays our dedication to staying forward of compliance necessities. Whereas such choices might quickly influence asset range, they reinforce our long-term stability.
We stay targeted on increasing our choices inside compliant frameworks, guaranteeing customers have entry to a variety of safe and controlled digital property.
- What position do you see retail and institutional partnerships taking part in in accelerating the mainstream adoption of crypto and digital property?
Establishments present liquidity, credibility, and infrastructure, whereas retail customers drive consciousness. For institutional buyers becoming a member of the crypto ecosystem with an organization that has each deep liquidity and dependable order execution alongside robust fiduciary, safety and compliance controls presents an enormous alternative. By collaborating with each retail customers and institutional buyers, we are able to bridge conventional finance with the crypto ecosystem, providing seamless, compliant, and safe entry to digital property.
- You’ve just lately partnered with main gamers like Circle, Stripe, BBVA, and Société Générale-FORGE. How do these collaborations mirror Bitstamp’s technique for integrating crypto into the standard monetary ecosystem?
Bitstamp’s partnerships with Circle, Stripe, BBVA, and Société Générale-FORGE mirror our dedication to integrating crypto into conventional finance. These collaborations allow smoother fiat on/off ramps, larger accessibility, and elevated institutional engagement.
Additionally they align with our purpose of positioning Bitstamp as a trusted bridge between legacy monetary establishments and the digital asset economic system, furthering our dedication to crypto being mainstream.
- What strategic benefits do you see in Robinhood’s acquisition of Bitstamp, and the way will this form Bitstamp’s world presence and choices?
Bitstamp is worked up to deliver a greater expertise to our clients and develop alongside an modern and mission-aligned firm like Robinhood.
The acquisition will profit Robinhood and Bitstamp clients by offering entry to a broader vary of merchandise, assets, and experience. The mixed firm can have a broader and extra various skilled group.
This strategic partnership brings us along with an organization with a mission to democratise finance globally.
- Bitstamp has traditionally been seen as one of the vital dependable exchanges for retail customers. Will the Robinhood acquisition shift your focus extra in the direction of institutional shoppers, or do you intend to keep up a steadiness?
This strategic mixture aligns completely with Bitstamp’s imaginative and prescient of enabling people and corporations to take part in crypto markets with confidence and safety. By becoming a member of forces with Robinhood, Bitstamp can develop its attain, enhance its market place, and proceed to ship safe and clear service to its clients.
Robinhood is a mission-aligned with Bitstamp’s safety-first strategy compliance being entrance and middle for each corporations.
- Given the delisting of EURT and the broader regulatory scrutiny round stablecoins, what’s your perspective on the way forward for stablecoins within the crypto market?
Stablecoins are an necessary element of the digital asset economic system, facilitating liquidity, funds, and cross-border transactions. Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, however we anticipate that well-regulated stablecoins, equivalent to these totally backed by reserves and compliant with evolving legal guidelines, will play a good larger position in monetary markets.
The long-term outlook is optimistic, significantly as central banks and monetary establishments discover regulated digital currencies.
- Having held management roles in each the standard finance (PayPal, eBay) and crypto sectors, what classes out of your previous experiences do you discover most related to main Bitstamp immediately?
My expertise at PayPal and eBay has underscored the significance of belief, compliance, and consumer expertise in monetary providers. Within the crypto area, these rules are equally essential.
The power to navigate regulatory landscapes, foster institutional relationships, and prioritise buyer safety stays key to Bitstamp’s sustained success.
- What are your prime priorities for Bitstamp within the subsequent 12 months, particularly in gentle of the continued adjustments within the regulatory panorama and the Robinhood acquisition?
Our main focuses for 2025 can be on integrating with Robinhood to boost consumer expertise and develop world attain, persevering with to develop our regulatory footprint, and increasing our product choices to satisfy rising curiosity in crypto.
That is underpinned by our continued dedication to offering a safe, compliant, and accessible platform for customers worldwide.