Blockchain

“The moment Bitcoin is identified as a currency, it will legally disappear” – said Vienna stock exchange chief Boschan

Published

5 years ago

March 16, 2021

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

France Backs Euro Stablecoins to Challenge US Dollar Dominance

Published

3 days ago

April 18, 2026

Victor Smith

France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, has voiced support for a euro-pegged stablecoin initiative led by European banks, as the region looks to compete with the dominance of US dollar-backed tokens.

The proposed stablecoin, known as Qivalis, is expected to launch in the second half of 2026 under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets regulatory framework.

Europe Pushes for Digital Euro Alternatives

The Qivalis project was introduced in September 2025 by a group of major European banks, including ING and UniCredit.

Its goal is to create a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin that can serve as a regional alternative to widely used dollar-backed digital assets.

Lescure expressed strong support for the initiative, stating that Europe needs its own competitive offering in the stablecoin space.

Dollar Stablecoins Still Dominate

Currently, the stablecoin market is heavily dominated by US dollar-pegged assets.

Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC account for the vast majority of market share, with USDT alone holding a market capitalization of around $186 billion.

By comparison, euro-backed stablecoins represent only a small fraction of the market, which Lescure described as “not satisfactory.”

Tokenized Deposits Also Encouraged

In addition to stablecoins, Lescure encouraged banks to explore tokenized deposits as part of the broader digital finance shift.

These instruments, which represent traditional bank deposits on blockchain infrastructure, could play a complementary role alongside stablecoins in modernizing financial systems.

Europe Focuses on Regulation and Stability

European regulators are taking a structured approach through the MiCA framework, aiming to ensure compliance, transparency, and financial stability.

At the same time, officials remain cautious about certain features, particularly interest-bearing stablecoins.

Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau has warned that offering yield on stablecoins could pose risks to financial stability, a concern echoed by policymakers in both Europe and the United States.

Ongoing Debate in the US

The discussion around stablecoins is also ongoing in the US, where lawmakers are still debating how to regulate the sector.

The proposed CLARITY Act, which aims to establish a market structure for crypto assets, remains stalled in the Senate amid disagreements over issues like stablecoin yield and tokenized equities.

Europe Looks to Close the Gap

With initiatives like Qivalis, Europe is positioning itself to reduce reliance on dollar-based stablecoins and strengthen the role of the euro in digital finance.

As competition intensifies, the development of regulated, region-specific stablecoins could play a key role in shaping the future of global payments.

Blockchain

Ramp Network Launches Multichain Wallet to Simplify Self-Custody

Published

3 days ago

April 18, 2026

Victor Smith

Fintech firm Ramp Network has introduced a new multichain self-custodial wallet aimed at reducing one of crypto’s biggest usability challenges, the need to rely on multiple third-party services for basic transactions.

The company says the wallet allows users to buy, sell, swap, and cash out digital assets within a single app, streamlining the overall experience.

All-in-One Crypto Experience

Unlike many wallets that depend on external providers, Ramp’s new product integrates its own on-ramp, off-ramp, and cross-chain infrastructure directly into the app.

This means users can complete key actions like trading or withdrawing funds without being redirected to other platforms.

Ramp says the goal is to simplify self-custody while still allowing users to retain full control over their assets.

Multichain Support at Launch

The wallet launches with support for Ether across eight networks, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Linea, MegaETH, Optimism, Polygon zkEVM, and zkSync Era.

Ramp plans to expand support to additional networks such as Bitcoin, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Apechain, Avalanche, Celo, and Gnosis in future updates.

To facilitate transactions, the wallet uses USDC on the Base network as a core balance for payments and transfers.

Focus on Security and User Control

Despite offering an integrated experience, Ramp emphasized that the wallet remains fully self-custodial.

Users retain control of their private keys, with security features including passkeys and optional key export functionality.

The company said this approach aims to make non-custodial wallets easier to use without compromising ownership of funds.

Not Available in the EU Yet

The wallet will be available globally, except in the European Union.

Ramp Network is already registered as a Crypto Asset Service Provider under the EU’s MiCA framework, but additional regulatory approvals are required before launching the wallet in the region.

According to CEO Przemek Kowalczyk, those steps are expected to be completed in the coming months.

Competing in a Crowded Wallet Market

Ramp’s entry adds to a growing list of wallets offering integrated features, including MetaMask, Phantom, Best Wallet, and Exodus, which already support in-app swaps and asset purchases.

However, Ramp is positioning its product as more streamlined by reducing the number of intermediaries involved in each transaction.

Simplifying a Fragmented Experience

Kowalczyk said the company built its own infrastructure to eliminate friction points that typically occur when users switch between services.

By combining payments, trading, and cash-out features into a single system, Ramp aims to make the crypto experience more consistent and user-friendly while maintaining the core principle of self-custody.

Blockchain

HIVE Plans $75M Raise to Expand AI Infrastructure Beyond Bitcoin Mining

Published

4 days ago

April 17, 2026

Victor Smith

HIVE Digital Technologies is preparing to raise $75 million as it accelerates its shift from Bitcoin mining toward AI-driven computing and data center infrastructure.

The company announced plans to issue 0% exchangeable senior notes due in 2031, with the offering targeting institutional investors and including an option to raise an additional $15 million.

Funding Focused on GPUs and Data Centers

HIVE said the proceeds will be used to expand its high-performance computing capabilities, including investments in graphics processing units and data center infrastructure.

The notes will be issued through a wholly owned subsidiary and can be converted under certain conditions, with HIVE retaining flexibility to settle conversions in cash, shares, or a mix of both.

The company also plans to enter capped call transactions to help limit potential shareholder dilution from future conversions.

Stock Drops Following Announcement

Following the news, HIVE’s Nasdaq-listed shares fell 11.5%, underperforming the broader crypto mining sector. The CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF also declined slightly by 1.5%.

Despite the market reaction, the raise reflects HIVE’s longer-term strategy to diversify beyond traditional mining revenue.

Pivot to AI Already Underway

HIVE was among the early Bitcoin miners to pivot into high-performance computing, beginning the transition in 2022.

That strategy is starting to show results. In its most recent quarter, the company reported $93.1 million in revenue, up 219% year over year, even as Bitcoin prices remained under pressure and mining difficulty increased.

Earlier this year, HIVE also signed a $30 million deal to deploy 504 Nvidia B200 GPUs for enterprise AI cloud services, signaling deeper involvement in the AI infrastructure space.

Mining Industry Shifts Toward AI

HIVE is not alone in this transition. A growing number of publicly traded Bitcoin miners are moving into AI and high-performance computing.

Companies such as MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms, Bitdeer Technologies, TeraWulf, Hut 8, CleanSpark, and IREN are all leveraging their existing energy access and data center infrastructure to support AI workloads.

This trend reflects a broader industry shift as miners look to stabilize revenues and capitalize on rising demand for AI computing power.

AI Infrastructure Becomes Key Growth Driver

The move toward AI is gaining momentum across the sector.

CoreWeave, a former crypto mining firm, has emerged as a major player in AI cloud infrastructure after pivoting years earlier. The company recently signed a $6 billion deal with trading firm Jane Street and secured a $1 billion equity investment, highlighting the scale of demand for compute resources.

At the same time, other players like Soluna Holdings are restructuring operations to focus more heavily on AI-ready data centers.

Expansion Plans Continue

In addition to the fundraising, HIVE said it has received conditional approval to list its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with trading expected to begin later this month once requirements are met.

As the company deepens its AI strategy, the planned raise signals a continued shift away from reliance on Bitcoin mining toward a broader role in powering next-generation computing infrastructure.