Blockchain
“The moment Bitcoin is identified as a currency, it will legally disappear” – said Vienna stock exchange chief Boschan
Christoph Boschan is unlikely to become a convinced Bitcoin investor anytime soon. Most recently, the head of the Vienna Stock Exchange compared the Bitcoin hype with the tulip mania and attested a crash as soon as BTC was regulated as a currency or financial instrument. In an interview with BTC-ECHO, Boschan wants to clarify the question: Is there a threat of an exchange rate collapse?
In an interview with Die Presse , Christoph Boschan hit a low blow a few days ago: Bitcoin is “vastly inferior to any alternative course of action” and shows similarities with “the tulip mania”. He rounded off the criticism with the ironic formulation that Bitcoin was after all “extremely important for criminal payments”. The criticism again made waves in the crypto space. However, if the statements are straightened out a bit, an existing basic Bitcoin problem becomes apparent.
Bitcoin: a matter of regulation
Opinions are divided on Bitcoin, not only among investors but also among regulators. There is still no common European legislation that creates a binding framework for crypto values. Crypto regulation is a country issue. The EU Regulation on Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) is still in draft status .
Germany, on the other hand, has a special role in European comparison. Since 2020, crypto values, including Bitcoin, have been included as financial instruments in the German Banking Act . In contrast to the MiCA draft, which provides for a separate division of tokens, e-money tokens, utility tokens and other crypto values, German legislation tries to create a uniform framework.
In Austria, however, Bitcoin is classified neither as a currency nor a financial instrument, but as a property right. This is “the great stroke of luck for Bitcoin” and “ultimately an expression of our liberal economic order”, as Christoph Boschan explains
Bitcoin is currently classified as a property right rather than a currency or financial instrument. It cannot be otherwise, because if it were classified as a currency its existence would simply not be permitted, its issuance and use would be forbidden and prosecuted in many cases – Articles 16 and 128 of our EU treaty only give the ECB the right to issue a currency.
Christoph Boschan
According to the CEO of the Vienna Stock Exchange, the regulatory status can be reduced to the following formula: “The moment BTC is identified as a currency, it disappears legally”. A supposedly sensational thesis that may lure crypto enthusiasts out of the reserve, but according to Boschan only reflects the “current legal situation”. After all, Bitcoin cannot be classified as a currency, since the “house right” for the issue of currencies lies with the EU.
Ripple precedent
According to Boschan, the same applies “to regulation as a financial instrument”. Finally, the example of Ripple shows “what it means to be viewed as a financial instrument”. In December last year, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) declared the Ripple currency XRP a security token, which resulted in a legal dispute with the Californian FinTech.
But this example shows that the legal situation for the token economy is anything but clear. Contrary to the attitude of the SEC, XRP is not classified as a security in other jurisdictions, but as a utility token. In addition, it is unclear whether the SEC is right with its move. Ultimately, the competent courts will decide on the regulatory status. The precedent Ripple shows: crypto assets and regulation are still in the discovery phase.
Bitcoin regulation shows gaps
The blanket criticism that the Vienna Stock Exchange boss unloads representative of supposedly Bitcoin-skeptical stock exchange representatives may be understandable from a crypto investor’s point of view, but it is not more correct. Statements such as: “If you regulate Bitcoin like a currency or a financial instrument, then it is no longer worth anything”, should be understood less as a rejection or attack on Bitcoin and the financial infrastructure behind it, and rather as a pointer to a lack of regulations.
As a manager, however, I can conclude with astonishment that the BTC industry is looking for such proximity to “currencies” or “financial instruments” and that this is the basis for sales. This is not strategically smart, but rather toxic, because the other way around it becomes a shoe, both – both the identification as a currency and as a financial instrument – are the greatest Achilles heels of the value of Bitcoin.
Christoph Boschan
Ultimately, however, it depends on the design of the legal framework. After all, Bitcoin is classified as a financial instrument in Germany, but it has not lost its value.
A common misconception?
A few friends from the crypto environment are likely to have Boschan also made the statement that Bitcoin is a vehicle for illegal purposes. According to Boschan, this view is derived from “very simple observation from the reality of life”. Whenever the Vienna Stock Exchange is exposed to blackmailing cyberattacks, “the payment requests come exclusively in BTC, […] not in euros, not in dollars, not in yen, not in gold, not in stocks, bonds or other derivatives, all of which are digital would be even smoother ”.
Obviously, the criminals use the most obvious instrument for them.
Christoph Boschan
As is so often the case, the devil is in the details. Wanting to push Bitcoin and Co. into the corner of a shadow currency, which is primarily used by criminals, belongs in the realm of fables . As the blockchain analysis company Chainalysis outlines in the current 2021 Crime Report , only a small fraction of 0.34 percent of all crypto transactions were for illegal purposes in 2020. Compared to the previous year, the criminal crypto cash flows have decreased by almost 2 percent, “the crime related to cryptocurrencies has decreased significantly in 2020”.
However, what is generally true of illegal crypto transactions is not particularly true of ransomware attacks. According to the report, “the total amount paid by ransomware victims has increased by 311 percent this year”. Accordingly, “no other category of cryptocurrency-based crime has had a higher growth rate”. According to Chainalysis, 2020 is not only the Covid year, but also “the year ransomware exploded”.
Bitcoin economy wins through exchange
In this light, Boschan’s remarks seem to be a very sober confirmation of the increase in ransomware identified by Chainalysis. So the Vienna Stock Exchange CEO finally defends himself against the attempt to put him “across the board in the anti-crypto corner”. Because the opposite is ultimately the case:
As an infrastructure provider whose foundation is databases, we are extremely attentive and very open-minded about developments relating to distributed database infrastructures. We have dozens of initiatives behind us and we certainly share the fascination that can trigger.
Christoph Boschan
Against this background, the Bitcoin-critical tones are already losing their explosive power. Boschan’s statements can certainly be read as a call to action to embed the crypto market in clear regulations. Ultimately, this creates the basis for sustainable growth in the industry, on which a wide variety of service providers are based. In the long term, the Bitcoin economy can only benefit from an unbiased discourse with traditional financial market players.
Blockchain
Vitalik Says Fileverse Is Now Stable for Encrypted Collaboration
Fileverse has officially reached a new level of stability, offering smooth encrypted collaboration after months of improvements — and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin says he’s now using it confidently for real work. According to Buterin, the platform finally delivers consistent performance across shared documents, comments, and real-time updates, marking a major milestone for decentralized productivity tools.
Buterin shared the update after extended testing, noting that recent bug fixes steadily removed the friction that once limited Fileverse’s usability. His comments also addressed ongoing questions from the crypto and developer community about how far the platform has come and whether it’s ready for broader adoption.
Fileverse Shows Steady, Monthly Improvements
Reflecting on his experience, Buterin said the platform improved month after month as developers resolved key issues. Today, Fileverse is reliable enough that he can share documents, collect comments, and collaborate live without disruptions — a major shift from earlier iterations.
His response came after an X user asked why the project operates so efficiently. Buterin emphasized that more teams in the space work effectively than people think, and that Fileverse benefits from not relying on heavy network effects. This helped redirect the conversation toward how users actually engage with the tool.
No Web3 Background Required — And No Wallet Needed
One of Fileverse’s biggest advantages, according to Buterin, is its ability to onboard users seamlessly. He explained that he can send a Fileverse document to anyone — even someone unfamiliar with Fileverse, Ethereum, or Web3 — and they can comment immediately.
The platform handles encryption and decentralized infrastructure behind the scenes, avoiding the need for wallets, tokens, or blockchain interactions. This design gives users a simple, familiar experience while preserving strong security, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for privacy-focused collaboration.
Developers Praise Broader Decentralized Coordination
Developers who follow decentralized collaboration tools highlighted that Fileverse isn’t just about encrypted documents. They noted that the platform enables distributed coordination without relying on centralized servers, supporting both human and automated workflows that operate without fixed control points.
Buterin added that Fileverse’s progress demonstrates what’s possible when teams build tools for real use cases instead of speculation. The broader challenge, he said, is creating more decentralized services that solve everyday problems and support meaningful work.
Blockchain
Solomon Labs (SOLO): A New Approach to Yield-Generating Stablecoins on Solana
Solomon Labs is introducing a new direction for stablecoins by designing a system where digital dollars can earn yield while maintaining a stable value. Built on the Solana blockchain, the project aims to create a more productive form of digital cash by integrating automated yield strategies into a stable and composable token ecosystem.
A Stablecoin Designed to Earn
Unlike traditional stablecoins that simply hold their peg, Solomon Labs is developing a model that allows its primary stable asset to generate returns without rebasing or changing its supply. The idea is straightforward: give users a stable, dollar-pegged token that behaves like cash while quietly accumulating yield in the background.
This approach is designed for users who want dependable value but don’t want their capital sitting idle. Solomon Labs blends stability with passive growth, positioning its stablecoin system as a modern alternative to low-yield financial products.
The Multi-Token Model Behind the Project
At the center of Solomon’s ecosystem is a non-rebase stablecoin meant to stay firmly pegged to one dollar. Alongside it is a staked version of the stablecoin that accumulates yield over time. This structure allows users to choose whether they prefer maximum liquidity or enhanced returns.
By combining neutral asset exposure with automated yield strategies, Solomon Labs aims to provide a balanced environment suitable for both conservative users and more yield-focused participants.
The SOLO Token and Ecosystem Growth
To support its infrastructure, Solomon Labs introduced the SOLO token, which plays a role in governance, ecosystem incentives, and liquidity development. The project has gained early attention within the Solana community due to its clear focus on stability, sustainability, and real utility.
As more decentralized applications seek stable, productive assets, Solomon Labs positions itself as a potential building block for lending markets, payments, and on-chain treasury systems.
Why Solomon Labs Stands Out
Solomon Labs is tackling a familiar problem: stablecoins are widely used but financially inactive. By allowing stable assets to earn yield while remaining composable across DeFi, the project brings a new layer of utility to one of the most adopted categories of digital assets.
With a focus on safety, predictable value, and passive growth, Solomon Labs is aiming to redefine what stablecoins can offer to both users and developers.
Blockchain
Paystream (PAYS): A New Peer-to-Peer Lending Engine Built for the Solana Era
Paystream (PAYS) is emerging as one of the newest DeFi protocols aiming to reshape how lending and liquidity work on the Solana blockchain. Instead of relying solely on large pooled liquidity models, Paystream introduces a direct peer-to-peer lending system designed to deliver better rates, higher capital efficiency, and a more dynamic experience for both lenders and borrowers.
A Smarter Way to Lend in DeFi
Traditional lending protocols match borrowers and lenders using interest-rate curves, which often leave capital idle and yields inconsistent. Paystream attempts to fix that by directly pairing lenders with borrowers at optimized market rates. This peer-to-peer engine focuses on reducing the gap between what lenders earn and what borrowers pay, creating a more efficient lending environment.
The project’s goal is to make DeFi lending feel more streamlined, more consistent, and more aligned with real demand rather than algorithmic guesswork.
Leveraged Liquidity Provisioning Adds More Earning Potential
One of Paystream’s standout features is its ability to automatically route unused funds into leveraged liquidity positions across major Solana AMMs. This prevents capital from sitting idle and allows depositors to continue generating yield even when no direct lending match is available.
This dynamic approach blends lending opportunities with liquidity-providing strategies, aiming to deliver smoother and more predictable returns for users.
Designed for Solana’s Speed and Scale
Solana’s architecture makes it possible for Paystream to operate with fast, low-cost transactions — a critical factor for real-time matching between lenders and borrowers. The network’s high throughput helps Paystream’s routing engine quickly deploy and shift capital without slowing down the user experience.
The Market View
Paystream is still early in its lifecycle, but it has started gaining attention through tracking platforms and its community. With the PAYS token circulating on Solana and powering the protocol’s ecosystem, interest continues to grow around how Paystream’s model could expand as borrowing and liquidity activity increases.
As the broader DeFi market evolves, Paystream’s hybrid approach — combining peer-to-peer matching with leveraged liquidity strategies — positions it as a protocol to watch.
Why Paystream Stands Out
- Direct matching between lenders and borrowers
- Continuous yield generation through fallback liquidity routing
- Built on Solana for speed and efficiency
- A design focused on maximizing capital productivity
- Aiming to bridge gaps left by traditional AMM-based lending systems
Paystream represents the next iteration of DeFi lending, where idle capital is minimized, opportunities are maximized, and blockchain performance is fully leveraged.
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