Live Panel from the Frankfurt Digital Finance Conference 2025
At last week’s Frankfurt Digital Finance 2025 conference, leading figures from Europe’s crypto industry converged for a spirited panel discussion on the burgeoning Crypto and Digital Assets Business Opportunities within digital assets. Moderated by Stefan Grasmann, the session revealed a dynamic picture of an industry poised for rapid innovation and broader institutional acceptance.
Panelists from renowned firms—Flatexdegiro, Bitpanda Technology Solutions, Deutsche Börse Group, and Union Investment—united around one message: while regulatory challenges and technical integration have long been the focus, the real momentum now lies in creating sustainable business models that serve both retail and institutional markets.
Trading, Custody, and Tokenization on the Rise
Moritz Karge of Flatexdegiro highlighted the resurgence in trading activity over the past year, noting that robust revenue streams emerged from a mix of crypto trading, custody services, and staking operations. “We’re moving away from speculative ideas towards a fair-priced, transparent approach that banks and asset managers are beginning to embrace,” Karge explained, reflecting a broader industry shift from conceptual tokenization to practical, revenue-generating applications.
Thomas Pecha from Bitpanda elaborated on his company’s dual strategy. While Bitpanda’s consumer-facing division continues to draw new clients—boasting a recent surge from 5.5 million to 6.2 million users—its technology arm is carving out a niche by offering robust, standardized smart contract solutions for tokenized assets. Pecha stressed the importance of establishing clear standards, arguing that only a uniform approach can unlock the full potential of blockchain-based financial instruments.
Institutional Caution Meets Retail Enthusiasm
Eric Viohl, Managing Director – Crypto Finance Germany painted a picture of cautious optimism among traditional banks. With crypto finance now operating under established regulatory frameworks, banks are slowly warming up to digital assets. However, Viohl observed that while retail brokers are actively incorporating crypto offerings, larger institutional investors and pension funds remain on the sidelines—largely waiting for a longer track record before committing significant capital.
Christoph Hock, Head of Tokenisation & Digital Assets at Union Investment, provided a strategic perspective from the asset management arena. His firm recently launched a blockchain fund managing assets worth around 140 million euros, a product that has resonated across a diverse investor spectrum. Hock underscored that the era of tokenized financial instruments is not about waiting for investor demand to dictate action; rather, it requires proactive innovation. “The future of finance will be defined by integrated wallets, instantaneous settlements, and around-the-clock trading—features that simply aren’t possible with traditional paper-based systems,” he asserted.
Europe vs. the U.S.: A Race Against Time
The panel also touched on the regulatory landscapes that distinguish Europe from its American counterpart. While European regulators have been lauded for their clarity and comprehensive frameworks, there is growing concern that the U.S. might soon outpace Europe by embracing lighter regulatory measures under new political leadership. Several panelists warned that although European institutions currently enjoy a competitive advantage, they must accelerate their innovation efforts if they hope to remain at the forefront of a truly global market.
Crypto and Digital Assets Business Opportunities: A Call to Action for All Stakeholders
Underlying the discussion was a unanimous call for education and early adoption. Panelists urged both individual investors and financial institutions to start small—whether by dipping a toe in crypto trading or by launching pilot projects—to foster a deeper understanding of digital assets. They emphasized that the path to mass adoption lies not only in technological advancements but also in a concerted effort to educate the market about the transformative potential of tokenization.
Listen in for a forward-looking discussion that sheds light on the future of trading, tokenization, and blockchain innovation. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and make sure to enjoy the episode!
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