During the Token2049 conference in Dubai on April 30, Changpeng “ CZ Zhao, ex-CEO of Binance, did not mince his words: Europe would be almost absent from the debate on Crypto adoption. For Zhao, while countries like the United Arab Emirates or Bhutan accumulate Bitcoin and Ethereum as strategic reserves, European countries are moving anywhere.
In short
- Changpeng Zhao deplores the absence of a clear crypto strategy in Europe, with the exception of Montenegro.
- Countries like Emirates or Bhutan already accumulate Bitcoin and Ethereum as reserves.
- The EU advances slowly despite the Mica frame, without coordinated reserve project in crypto.
- The United States, with the recent example of Arizona, take a strategic headline.
Crypto: Changpeng Zhao criticizes Europe for its inertia in adoption
“” I don't see Europe in this discussion “He said. Only a notable exception according to him: Montenegro, whose Prime Minister is tried ” visionary and open ». The country also aims to become a center of blockchain innovation. But for the rest of the continent, the lack of concrete commitment to the crypto is obvious.
Meanwhile, the European Union is struggling to convince with the gradual application of the regulatory framework Micalaunched in December 2024. If the latter supervised the Crypto markets, no coordinated reserve project in Bitcoin has yet emerged. In January 2025, the Czech National Bank mentioned an investment of $ 7 billion in a Bitcoin reserve, but, the volatility of the BTC represented a real obstacle to this adoption.
The old continent lagging behind in the face of American initiatives
In contrast, the United States is advancing on this issue, with several legislative initiatives on a federal and state scale. No later in April 2025, Arizona has taken a decisive step towards the adoption of Bitcoin as a strategic active. On April 28, the state legislature approved two bills, SB1025 and SB1373, authorizing the state treasurer to invest up to 10 % of public funds in crypto assets, including BTC.
These measures are now awaiting the signing of governor Katie Hobbs to enter into force. This confirms the words of Changpeng Zhao: the world moves, but Europe is slow to follow. A severe observation of CZ, which confirms its role of critical lookout in the crypto universe.
While daring nations take a position on the crypto, Europe remains frozen in observation, worse, it could even prohibit Bitcoin. Critics of Changpeng Zhao are ringing today as a warning: without a rapid reaction, the old continent risks losing its place in the new digital economy carried by cryptocurrencies.
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