London’s Crypto Scene Gains Momentum: Oxido Solutions’ Insights from the Digital AssetS Forum
1. Introduction
London has long been Europe’s financial hub, but it’s also rapidly emerging as a key player in the digital asset space. The city attracts a growing number of (U)HNWIs, family offices, and institutional investors who are increasingly looking at crypto. This surge in interest is fueling high-quality networking events where industry leaders, innovators, and major stakeholders come together.
With Oxido Solutions expanding its footprint in the crypto space, Guido Lassally has been spending more time in London, tapping into this momentum. On February 3, he attended an event that drew some of the biggest names in the industry: the Digital Assets Forum 2025. In this blog, we’ll take you through what the DAF was about, explore key themes that stood out for Oxido Solutions, and share our perspective on the most pressing topics discussed at the event
2. Digital Assets Forum 2025
The Digital Assets Forum 2025 took place in the heart of London, bringing together a mix of traditional finance (TradFi) leaders, decentralized finance (DeFi) innovators, and institutional investors. Bishopsgate Street, where the event was held, became the focal point for deep discussions on the evolving role of digital assets, regulatory frameworks, and the next big wave of institutional adoption.
Beyond networking, the event provided a platform where top speakers from across the finance and blockchain sectors shared their insights. The focus was clear: digital assets are no longer a niche market. Institutions are paying closer attention, and the financial infrastructure to support large-scale adoption is rapidly taking shape. Banks, pension funds, and asset managers are weighing their options, but with regulatory clarity still in progress, many are waiting for the right moment to enter.
The event’s discussions revolved around some of the most pressing topics in the space, from the growing appetite for institutional adoption and the U.S. government’s shifting stance on digital assets to the potential of tokenization, the rise of stablecoins, and the question of whether Bitcoin could become a global reserve asset. These conversations made it clear that digital assets are no longer an experimental space on the fringes of finance. They are becoming a serious part of global investment strategies, and those who position themselves early will have a significant advantage.
2A. Institutional Adoption of Digital Assets
One of the most discussed themes at the forum was the increasing demand from institutional investors. Banks, pension funds, and asset managers are no longer dismissing crypto as a speculative trend. Instead, they are actively exploring how to enter the market in a way that aligns with their risk tolerance and regulatory obligations. While early adopters in hedge funds and family offices have already made their move, traditional institutions are treading more cautiously, carefully evaluating the landscape before making significant commitments.
Many panelists emphasized that the biggest barrier to entry is not necessarily lack of interest, but rather uncertainty around execution risks and regulatory frameworks. While some institutions are comfortable with small-scale exposure through Bitcoin ETFs or indirect investment vehicles, deeper involvement—such as holding crypto on balance sheets or offering blockchain-based financial products—still requires more certainty.
The sentiment at the forum suggested that once institutions feel that custody solutions, compliance structures, and risk management tools are up to standard, the floodgates could open. The demand is there. Now, it’s a question of timing.
Oxido Solutions’ Perspective
Oxido Solutions sees this institutional shift firsthand. The growing appetite for digital assets is not just a trend—it’s becoming a fundamental part of the financial ecosystem. Iinstitutional players are increasingly looking to allocate capital into crypto quant strategies, both directly and through partnerships. At Oxido Solutions, we not only develop our own strategies but also assist other crypto quant teams in fundraising, and the institutional demand for these solutions continues to rise.
The involvement of major players like BlackRock and JP Morgan, as well as the emergence of regulated crypto ETFs, has added legitimacy to the space, making it harder for traditional finance to ignore. Meanwhile, robust custody solutions from providers such as Copper, Fireblocks, and Coinbase are addressing the critical concerns around security and compliance.
From Oxido’s perspective, this shift is irreversible. The pieces are falling into place—large financial institutions have entered the space, infrastructure is strengthening, and the appetite for exposure is undeniable. The discussion is no longer about if institutional adoption will happen, but how fast it will scale.
SMA DECK
2B. U.S. Policy and Trump’s Crypto Strategy
A major talking point was the shifting U.S. regulatory environment under the Trump administration. With a stronger pro-crypto stance than in previous years, Washington is taking steps that could significantly impact the global digital asset market. The appointment of David Sacks as AI & Crypto Czar and Paul Atkins as head of the SEC has sent a clear message that crypto is being taken seriously at the highest levels of government.
Trump’s executive orders to establish a digital asset stockpile and a sovereign wealth fund built on digital assets have sparked debate. Some view these moves as bold steps toward mainstream adoption, while others question whether the regulatory landscape will remain consistent or shift again in future administrations.
The U.S. approach is being closely watched by investors worldwide. If the government follows through on policies that promote crypto adoption while balancing investor protection, America could set the stage for institutional inflows at an unprecedented scale. However, much depends on whether these policies translate into real action or remain political posturing.
Oxido Solutions’ Perspective
At Oxido Solutions, we’ve already seen U.S.-based crypto firms reversing their exit strategies. Under the Biden administration, many companies relocated to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions due to regulatory uncertainty and unfavorable tax policies. Now, with Trump’s pro-crypto stance, some of these firms are reconsidering their move and returning to the U.S., encouraged by a more open approach and potential tax incentives.
While we welcome institutional support and a more favorable regulatory climate, we also see red flags in some of the recent developments.
One of the more concerning aspects is Trump’s direct involvement in memecoins. The fact that a sitting president is directly benefiting from a wave of crypto speculation raises serious ethical and market integrity questions. If digital assets become a tool for political profit rather than economic progress, the credibility of the entire industry could be at risk.
The controversy isn’t just about government-backed digital asset initiatives—it’s also about transparency. Allegations have surfaced that Trump’s inner circle has launched or pre-mined hundreds of tokens, some of which have yet to be released to the public. If true, this could lead to market manipulation at an unprecedented scale, creating artificial FOMO, pumping valuations, and allowing insiders to exit at peak prices, leaving retail investors with worthless tokens. This kind of behavior could erode trust in crypto rather than advance its adoption, potentially undoing the benefits of any pro-crypto policies being put in place.
From our perspective, the direction of U.S. crypto policy could go either way. If Trump’s administration focuses on long-term institutional growth and regulatory clarity, it could solidify the U.S. as the global leader in digital assets. But if the space becomes a political playground for quick financial gains, it could cause long-term damage to market confidence.
For now, Oxido Solutions remains cautiously optimistic. The U.S. has the potential to lead the next phase of institutional crypto adoption, but its success will depend on whether policies are built for the long haul or simply designed to cash in on short-term hype.
2C. The Evolution of Global Crypto Regulation
While the U.S. crypto strategy was a hot topic, the forum also addressed how regulation is unfolding in other parts of the world. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework is now in effect, providing a clearer structure for exchanges, stablecoins, and token issuers. Though still in its early stages, it offers a model that other regions, including the UK, are studying closely.
In contrast, the UK is at a crossroads. With Coinbase securing UK regulatory approval, there is momentum, but without decisive action, London risks falling behind more crypto-friendly jurisdictions. The general sentiment at the forum was that the UK should take a streamlined approach to crypto regulation, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy while still maintaining investor protections.
One of the more technical but important developments discussed was ISO24165, a standardized identifier for digital tokens. If widely adopted, it could help institutions track and manage digital assets more efficiently, adding another layer of legitimacy to the space.
Oxido Solutions’ Perspective
At Oxido Solutions, we remain skeptical about MiCA’s long-term impact and hope that the UK and other non-EU countries do not follow this model. In our view, MiCA’s licensing requirements are overly complex and prohibitively expensive, making it difficult for all but the largest crypto companies to obtain approval. Rather than fostering innovation, this approach risks consolidating power in the hands of a few large firms, leaving smaller, innovative crypto businesses struggling to comply. This could slow down the growth of the digital asset ecosystem in Europe rather than support it.
A particularly concerning aspect of MiCA is its treatment of stablecoins, which could directly impact our crypto quant strategies and those of our partners. Many of these strategies are USDT-denominated, meaning they rely on Tether’s deep liquidity and global market dominance. However, MiCA explicitly seeks to exclude USDT from compliant order books. If enforced, this would have major consequences on European trading activity, potentially reshaping order book structures, liquidity flows, and leverage availability.
This shift presents both risks and opportunities. On one hand, restricted access to USDT in MiCA-compliant exchanges could significantly reduce liquidity, making European crypto markets less attractive for high-volume trading. On the other hand, it may force quant trading firms like ours to develop new strategies tailored to these changing conditions. If other jurisdictions follow the EU’s example, adapting our approach to stablecoin liquidity and leverage structures will be essential.
Another key concern is whether MiCA is ultimately designed to protect European innovation or to shield Euro-backed stablecoins from competition. The framework demands that 60% of reserves be held in EU-based banks, yet traditional banks invest in less liquid, lower-yield assets compared to the highly liquid U.S. Treasuries that back USDT. This could lead to systemic risks, rather than solving them.
From a market perspective, Tether has little incentive to comply with MiCA’s requirements. With over $120 billion in market capitalization, USDT dominates the stablecoin sector, making up 80% of global stablecoin liquidity. Meanwhile, Euro-backed stablecoins account for only $252 million—a fraction of the market. Tether’s reserves are built on safe, liquid U.S. Treasuries, not fragile banking systems. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2023, which temporarily de-pegged USDC to $0.80, is a stark reminder of what happens when stablecoins are tied too closely to traditional banking risks.
The reality is, Europe is trying to fit crypto into a traditional banking model that doesn’t align with how digital assets function. If MiCA’s enforcement leads to USDT being removed from European exchanges, the result won’t be more regulatory certainty—it will be a fragmented market with drying liquidity, weaker trading activity, and an exodus of crypto firms looking for better opportunities elsewhere.
For Oxido Solutions and other institutional players, the focus will be on developing alternative trading strategies that account for MiCA-driven liquidity shifts, ensuring that we remain adaptive in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Whether MiCA strengthens Europe’s crypto market or isolates it from global liquidity will depend on how exchanges, traders, and stablecoin issuers respond in the coming months.
From our perspective, Tether doesn’t need MiCA—but MiCA might need Tether if Europe wants to remain relevant in the global crypto economy.
2D. The Role of Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset
As discussions turned to macroeconomic trends, one of the biggest questions was whether nation-states will start adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets. Trump’s plan to build a U.S. Bitcoin stockpile is an early sign that some governments are considering Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
Some compared this moment to Bretton Woods 2.0, suggesting that countries that move first in adopting Bitcoin could gain a long-term advantage. While not everyone agreed, there was a sense that Bitcoin’s role in global finance is evolving faster than many had expected.
Oxido Solutions’ Perspective
At Oxido Solutions, we recognize that Bitcoin’s inclusion in central bank reserves would be a monumental step toward global financial legitimacy. If major economies follow El Salvador and Bhutan in accumulating BTC, it would further cement Bitcoin’s role as a digital alternative to gold, increasing its liquidity, stability, and credibility as a sovereign asset. If the Czech National Bank (CNB) proceeds with its plan to allocate up to 5% of its €140 billion reserves to Bitcoin, it could trigger a domino effect, prompting other central banks to follow suit. This would open the door for greater institutional participation, boost the development of BTC-based financial instruments, and enhance the viability of Bitcoin-backed lending and trading strategies.
However, a government-controlled Bitcoin reserve also carries significant risks. Unlike decentralized holders, institutions, or long-term investors, governments tend to accumulate and liquidate assets based on political, rather than financial, motivations. If a country were to build a strategic Bitcoin stockpile, this could initially push prices up—but once the buying stops, the market may face sharp corrections. Even more concerning, future administrations or political shifts could result in Bitcoin reserves being used as a liquidity buffer, meaning a government could sell off large portions of its holdings in times of crisis, triggering sudden market disruptions.
Additionally, if Bitcoin is accumulated at scale by sovereign entities, it could lead to state-controlled price manipulation. Unlike gold, which has been embedded in financial systems for centuries, Bitcoin’s supply is limited and highly liquid, making it vulnerable to deliberate market interventions. If a government were to suddenly liquidate a large position, it could artificially suppress Bitcoin’s price, creating uncertainty and dampening institutional enthusiasm for BTC as a reliable store of value.
An alternative approach would be a gradual integration of Bitcoin into national financial systems rather than outright stockpiling. If governments progressively incorporate Bitcoin as a reserve asset alongside traditional holdings, it would ensure organic price stability and long-term credibility without introducing excessive political risk. A well-managed monetary strategy that slowly devalues fiat currencies against Bitcoin over time could allow BTC to strengthen as a hedge asset without subjecting the market to abrupt shocks.
At Oxido Solutions, we remain cautiously optimistic about Bitcoin’s role in sovereign reserves. A well-executed strategy could enhance Bitcoin’s credibility, liquidity, and adoption—but politically motivated sell-offs or short-term accumulation strategies could just as easily introduce new layers of volatility and uncertainty. For firms like Oxido Solutions, which operate Bitcoin-backed financial strategies such as BTC Perpetual Futures, these developments create both opportunities and risks.
If Bitcoin is integrated into sovereign reserves in a structured and long-term manner, it could strengthen institutional adoption and financial stability. However, if governments treat Bitcoin as a speculative instrument or a political tool, it could lead to unpredictable market conditions that require careful risk management and adaptable trading strategies.
As Bitcoin’s role in sovereign finance evolves, Oxido Solutions remains committed to staying ahead of these shifts, ensuring that our trading models, liquidity strategies, and risk frameworks are built to thrive in both bullish and politically volatile environments. The question is no longer whether Bitcoin will enter central bank reserves—but rather how it will be managed once it does.
3. Final Thoughts
The Digital Asset Forum 2025 left no doubt: crypto is no longer on the sidelines—it is becoming a core pillar of global finance. The conversations at the event made it clear that institutions are not debating whether to enter the digital asset space, but rather how and when. Regulators, financial giants, and central banks are all actively positioning themselves, laying the groundwork for what could be the most significant transformation in finance in decades.
For Oxido Solutions, the event reinforced the key trends shaping the market. Institutional demand is accelerating, Bitcoin’s role as a sovereign asset is gaining traction, and regulatory frameworks are starting to solidify, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While MiCA’s stablecoin restrictions and the U.S.’s shifting policy under Trump highlight the complexities ahead, these developments will ultimately determine liquidity, market structure, and trading dynamics. Successfully navigating these changes requires adaptability and a deep understanding of institutional capital flows—something Oxido Solutions has been preparing for.
One of the most compelling takeaways from the forum was that those who act first will shape the future. Whether it’s institutions integrating Bitcoin into their balance sheets, central banks building BTC reserves, or governments designing smart, forward-thinking regulations, the early movers will define the next phase of digital asset adoption. The financial landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and those waiting on the sidelines risk missing out on the next major wave of capital inflows and market innovation.
As crypto cements itself within mainstream finance, Oxido Solutions is positioned at the forefront of this global shift. With our proprietary crypto quant strategies and those of our business partners, and our deep expertise in liquidity optimization, we are ready to capitalize on the institutional expansion into digital assets. Whether through regulatory adaptation, evolving trading strategies, or expanding our presence in key financial hubs like London, we remain committed to staying ahead of the curve.
The next phase of crypto’s integration into the financial system has already begun. The only question now is: who will take the lead, and who will be left behind?
