Bitstamp CEO Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux says 2024 was a transformative year for the digital asset sector.
Bitstamp is a European crypto exchange that claims to be the world’s longest-running marketplace for crypto. In 2024, Robinhood acquired Bitstamp for $200 million as the broker sought to expand its services to a broader market. Robinhood reported that crypto notional trading volumes were approximately $28 billion for the month of December.
Bitstamp USA, Inc. is licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Graftieaux said 2024 was a pivotal year for crypto as better regulation further integrated crypto into mainstream finance. With new rules, regulatory clarity emerges, and trust in the sector is improved. He said that Bitcoin had an extraordinary year as the price of the world’s most popular crypto rose by 130% – topping $100,000 before the end of the year.
Graftieaux noted that Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) emerged as a major trend, opening crypto markets to a broader range of investors.
“Additionally, Bitstamp secured its landmark MiFID MTF licence in October, which will enable us to offer crypto derivatives to institutional and retail customers—further highlighting the evolution of the industry,” said Graftieaux. “Global regulatory frameworks are adapting to support crypto, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of the decentralized financial system and making crypto investment more accessible and flexible.”
Graftieaux predicts that in 2025, crypto will strengthen, gaining global acceptance, and the sector fundamentals will remain robust.
“The incoming U.S. administration’s favourable stance on crypto, coupled with expected macroeconomic improvements, could boost digital asset values while preserving their appeal as an inflation hedge.ETFs were a game-changer in 2024, making crypto investment more accessible to both retail and institutional investors. This trend will likely continue, supported by new U.S. regulations and the rollout of MiCA in Europe, which aims to increase market transparency.”
Graftieaux said that Bitstamp will continue to focus on security and compliance, serving both retail and institutional clients.