Bitwise CEO makes case for Bitcoin as Europe continues to be skeptical of digital assets

Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise Asset Management, has recently been vocal on the X social media platform about Bitcoin’s potential, especially as the market has been upended. 

While Bitcoin has been rapidly adopted by many individuals, institutions, and even governments, skepticism surrounding the ecosystem still remains in many parts of the world.

Several countries, particularly in Europe, continue to view digital assets with caution. European regulators have cited potential risks to financial stability, investor protection, and regulatory oversight as a reason for their caution when it comes to the industry.

On the other hand, industry leaders emphasize Bitcoin’s growing role as a legitimate asset and a hedge against inflation.

Bitwise CEO advocates for Bitcoin

Hunter Horsley, the CEO of Bitwise Asset Management, recently took to social media to emphasize the importance of Bitcoin as a store of value.

In a 2024 interview, Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Matt Hougan emphasized the growing interest from institutional investors and financial advisors in cryptocurrencies. He noted that the cryptocurrency industry is attracting some of the “most powerful people in finance,” which makes a case for the legitimacy and acceptance of digital assets in traditional finance.

Now in 2025, Horsley continues to see the potential in cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin. The CEO has dedicated multiple tweets to the leading digital asset.

He pointed out that through the crisis currently sweeping the market, Bitcoin has managed to retain its value above mainstream investment options.

“Bitcoin, for all its volatility, down less than Mag 7, Tech, Innovation, and small cap,” he said.

He also stated that for countries who, at this time, cannot trust the US due to the uncertainty surrounding the policies that may be implemented by the current administration or for other reasons and are interested in storing value in other assets outside of the US dollar, Bitcoin is the best option.

You're a nation that doesn't trust the U.S. right now.

You want to store value in something other than U.S. assets.

But you don't want to own other nations' currencies/debt/assets because they're even weaker and you expect they'll debase it.

So you could buy gold. But how…

— Hunter Horsley (@HHorsley) April 9, 2025

ESMA maintains cautionary stance on cryptocurrencies

European regulators like Natasha Cazenave, the Executive Director of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) are not as receptive of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general.

Cazenave insists that crypto assets threaten financial stability in her address to the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

She pointed out that the crypto market more than doubled in size in 2024, reaching a market capitalization of €3.3T by the end of the year, but it still represents about 1% of global financial assets.

EU banks currently have very limited exposure to crypto activities. Over 95% of banks within the EU do not engage in any cryptocurrency ventures, but despite this, Cazenave warned that the growth of the cryptocurrency industry could lead to broader stability issues.

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