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Omri Ross on How eToro Stands Out in the Crypto Exchange Arena
On the opening day of the 2025 edition of the Paris Blockchain Week, BeInCrypto had the opportunity to interview Omri Ross, Chief Blockchain Officer for eToro. He revealed that despite the current market condition, the firm’s upcoming IPO is still in the pipeline.
We discussed how the company positions itself in the crypto exchange market and how it tackles the security question for its users.
Omri Ross Sheds Light on the Positioning of eToro
eToro has been, for many years, a very innovative player in this market. All areas around are following and creating a social network for trading.
There is the idea that people would like to copy-trade each other and be happy to share information about their portfolios. I think the way, for example, that our popular investors are working together with the community is absolutely fascinating.
I remember, for example, my discussion at some of our client events; we see a lot of the investors are actually being in contact with people who follow them. There is much less distance. There is much more discussion about why they follow specific portfolios.
And eToro also helps with this element. eToro actually creates events where popular investors and customers meet each other. As a platform, we also have an educational element with the eToro Academy. We also do some podcasts together with them. I think this is really innovative and awesome.
In terms of products, you know, our CEO has always been very pro-crypto. We have had Bitcoin trading available at eToro since 2013, so it is fairly early. And for me, it’s always been a pleasure to be in a place where you want to kind of push the funds; you want to bring to, in a regulated way, as many products as possible.
You know, customer protection and personal protection, but we are also trying to see how we can expose our customers to new products and innovations. And I think that that’s pretty unique, and we’re very proud of that.
How many Cryptos are Trading on eToro Right now?
We have more than 100 at the moment, with most of the big ones. However, we still don’t have so many stablecoins, but this is because we sort of see ourselves as a financial institution. We are looking into extending it and looking for ways to sort of allow our customers to reach more elements.
We also have an experimental area where you can experiment with more assets that may not necessarily be mature enough to be without the disclaimers. A big element for us is really how to communicate. On the one hand, we offer a lot of opportunities, but we are also trying to have people explore and understand what they investigate and work closely with regulators.
Is Copy Trading the Key Element of eToro?
100%. Also, many customers come to the discussions that appear on eToro to learn and discuss crypto with other people.
We also have smart portfolios where you follow specific trends and make it easier for people to invest. For example, we have a DeFi portfolio and a MetaMask portfolio. It’s also a very simple way for people to get exposed to a bigger sort of industry, which is also very transparent.
Yeah, so I think there is a lot of innovation around that, but it’s really helping retail [investors] get information and be able to easily, even in fiat, sort of invest in all of that.
Which Asset Category Seems to Have the Most Potential for eToro to Expand?
I would touch upon two subjects in this regard. The first element is we are a multi-asset platform.
One of, I think, the biggest advantages of using eToro is your ability to get exposed to many, many different sorts of asset classes in one place. You can also have the eToro money credit card in some countries that we support. We’re also seeing that when our customers use a larger amount of our products, they really benefit from that. So I think that’s a big part of the element.
I would also mention, in that regard, that a lot of our investors are somehow maybe Gen Z. We really see the potential of people to really follow what happens in the market, where they’re really interested in what happens in the market. Social networks are a big part of that.
You can follow others that you are interested in, you can comment on yourself and engage, as well as the fact that the world is a very interesting place, and things are changing daily. And to know that you can do crypto at eToro if that’s interesting, but also they are like, if they’re interested in oil and gas prices, or any other things, you have that as well. I think this is what is really special, that you can get exposed to a lot of stuff, learn about it, and all in one place.
Is Education the main Drive of how eToro Recruits new Customers?
Not necessarily. We mostly see that part of our goal as a company is to open financial markets for everybody and invest in a simple and transparent place. And for us, education is part of that.
We want to help our customers educate themselves, and with the hope that they choose to stay with us for many, many years to come. So this is a way for us to create a lot of opportunities.
We want to build a longer-term relationship and help customers prosper. Yeah, how we recruit different people really depends. Part of it is related to marketing, brand awareness, and many other aspects.
How eToro Focuses on the Security of the Platform
First, we work with top-net security experts, including ex-secret service people. Some of them are employed by eToro to deal with that element.
Secondly, especially around crypto, I can’t expose too much information because some of it is really classified. However, we work on different layers of security within a customer infrastructure. We try to keep a lot of client assets in what we describe as a “deep vault” with very secure elements. And it’s a big part of our infrastructure. It’s a big part of our discussion.
For any project, we take the fact that customers trust us extremely seriously with the funds. And we feel extremely fortunate for it.
Luckily for us, until today, we never had any issue with that. But there are a lot of elements around it. When you ask about innovation, it’s also one of the reasons why it may take a little bit longer for us to issue new projects; it is also because we take security extremely seriously with every element. That is a major part of the design.
Does eToro Use B2B Solutions For Security?
We think there are good B2B solutions. Again, when we work with vendors, also based on our size, they usually adapt to our requirements.
We work with some vendors who are from a security background, working in secret services, and building really insane secure elements. I learned a lot working with them and with their background. I wish I could tell you more about it, but for me, as an individual and not as a potential sort of employee, I think that it’s very interesting.
Because there are also discussions about the “not your keys, not your money” element. But also, having your own money has its risks. Holding a really large amount of money in some place at home can get ruined or stolen. There are so many risks; you can also have the risk of someone putting a gun to your head.
There are many social elements. And when I see the work that is done in the program, I’m very proud and impressed by the seriousness we take about that element. I think that’s part of the value we bring in. You know, being regulated and also really taking the customers’ funds and interests seriously.
What eToro Expects to Achieve During the Paris Blockchain Week?
I’ve been here some years back. And it’s grown so much I’m shocked!
I’ve been here for less than an hour today, and I’m like: “Wow!”. And you can really see the adoption here. Also, the French regulation is getting more into that, which is absolutely amazing.
And being at the Louvre, what else can you ask for? But I would also love to talk to a lot of companies to learn about innovation. Part of my role is building new products at eToro within crypto. But it’s also about talking to a lot of founders and crypto providers and seeing what else we can collaborate on and integrate with eToro. And always learn.
I’m very passionate about this specific market and blockchain. So I’m really looking forward to it. I may also catch up with some old friends that I haven’t seen for a while.
How can one Launch Their Crypto on eToro?
You don’t necessarily have to reach out to anyone. We are obviously following the market very closely.
As I mentioned before, being regulated, we’ve taken our clients’ interests very seriously. Often, our processes may be a bit longer than those of some unregulated blockchain platforms.
First, you’d be invited to talk to me or some of our listing or trading committee members. We’re always excited to hear and learn about your new crypto.
Disclaimer
In compliance with the Trust Project guidelines, this opinion article presents the author’s perspective and may not necessarily reflect the views of BeInCrypto. BeInCrypto remains committed to transparent reporting and upholding the highest standards of journalism. Readers are advised to verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
After months of decline, Solana meme coins are regaining bullish momentum. Daily trade volumes are increasing dramatically, and most of the leading tokens are posting notable price gains.
The increasing network activity is also helping Solana to recover after a 12-month low. Most recently, pump-and-dump schemes and tariff chaos rocked the meme coin sector, but speculative assets are regaining momentum as macroeconomic fears start to cool down.
Are Solana Meme Coins On the Rise Again?
Solana meme coins have been a popular sector of the crypto ecosystem, but a few controversies have taken bites out of the market in recent months.
In addition to pump-and-dumps and the Argentinian LIBRA scandal damaging these assets’ reputations, tariff-related chaos helped draw investors away from these meme assets. Despite this, however, volume is picking back up:
“Meme trading platform Axiom’s daily trading volume exceeded $100 million for the first time on April 14, accounting for about 50% of the market share of Solana Meme trading platform. The number of trading users reached 26,800, a record high,” claimed Colin Wu.
Axiom may represent half of the trading for these assets, but it isn’t the only site with heightened volumes. Pump.fun recently launched Pumpswap, a new decentralized exchange that quickly captured 14% of Solana’s DEX market.
Trading volumes are spiking on PumpSwap, with daily trading volume surging by 50% on Tuesday, April 15.
Data from DefiLlama shows that DEX trading on Solana is starting to recover after a massive drop in March. In other words, Solana meme coins’ growth isn’t isolated to either of these platforms either.
These stats have a long way to go before they recover their all-time high from January, but these signs of regrowth are still very promising.
Additionally, individual Solana meme coins are making huge strides in price performance. In the last week, eight of the ten largest assets in this category posted double-digit gains.
One of the two losers this week was TRUMP, which has been adversely impacted by tariff chaos and the latest token unlock. Nonetheless, it managed to achieve a 4.5% price jump. Most of the top ten had gains of over 20% during this period.
This increased network activity is also reflected in Solana’s price. Last week, it began recovering from a 12-month low and has since rocketed up with 20% price gains.
For now, it seems like Solana meme coins are eyeing a real comeback, at least for the short term. However, another macroeconomic shock could see these risk assets reacting more severely than the wider market.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
China’s recent directive for its state-owned banks to decrease reliance on the US dollar has amplified a growing trend among countries seeking alternatives to the dominant reserve assets. In some instances, Bitcoin has emerged as a viable competitor.
BeInCrypto spoke with experts from VanEck, CoinGecko, Gate.io, HashKey Research, and Humanity Protocol to understand Bitcoin’s rise as an alternative to the US dollar and its potential for greater influence in global geopolitics.
The Push for De-Dollarization
Since the 2008 global financial crisis, China has gradually reduced its reliance on the US dollar. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has now instructed state-owned banks to reduce dollar purchases amid the heightened trade war with US President Donald Trump.
China is among many nations seeking to lessen its dependence on the dollar. Russia, like its southern neighbor, has received an increasing number of Western sanctions– especially following its invasion of Ukraine.
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other allies imposed unprecedented international sanctions on Russia, targeting its central bank and major financial institutions and restricting access to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) for some financial institutions.
In response, Russia halted trading of US dollars and euros on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX). Recently, BeInCrypto also reported that Russia has been quietly using Bitcoin for international trade to bypass sanctions.
Furthermore, Rosneft, a major Russian commodities producer, has issued RMB-denominated bonds, indicating a shift towards RBM, the Chinese currency, and a move away from Western currencies due to sanctions.
This global shift away from predominant reserve currencies is not limited to countries affected by Western sanctions. Aiming to increase the Rupee’s international use, India has secured agreements for oil purchases in Indian Rupee (INR) and trade with Malaysia in INR.
The country has also pursued creating a local currency settlement system with nine other central banks.
As more nations consider alternatives to the US dollar’s dominance, Bitcoin has emerged as a functional monetary tool that can serve as an alternative reserve asset.
Why Nations Are Turning to Bitcoin for Trade Independence
Interest in using cryptocurrency for purposes beyond international trade has also grown. In a notable development, China and Russia have reportedly settled some energy transactions using Bitcoin and other digital assets.
“Sovereign adoption of Bitcoin is accelerating this year as demand grows for neutral payments rails that can circumvent USD sanctions,” Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, told BeInCrypto.
Two weeks ago, France’s Minister of Digital Affairs proposed using the surplus production of EDF, the country’s state-owned energy giant, to mine Bitcoin.
Last week, Pakistan announced similar plans to allocate part of its surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers.
Meanwhile, on April 10, New Hampshire’s House passed HB302, a Bitcoin reserve bill, by a 192-179 vote, sending it to the Senate. This development makes New Hampshire the fourth state, after Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma, to have such a bill pass a legislative chamber.
If HB302 is approved by the Senate and signed into law, the state treasurer could invest up to 10% of the general fund and other authorized funds in precious metals and specific digital assets like Bitcoin.
According to industry experts, this is only the beginning.
VanEck Predicts Bitcoin to Become a Future Reserve Asset
Sigel predicts Bitcoin will become a key medium of exchange by 2025 and, ultimately, one of the world’s reserve currencies.
His forecasts suggest Bitcoin could settle 10% of global international trade and 5% of global domestic trade. This scenario would lead to central banks holding 2.5% of their assets in BTC.
According to him, China’s recent de-dollarization will prompt other nations to follow suit and lessen their reliance on the US dollar.
“China’s de-dollarization efforts are already having second- and third-order effects that create opportunities for alternative assets like Bitcoin. When the world’s second-largest economy actively reduces its exposure to US Treasuries and promotes cross-border trade in yuan or through mechanisms like the mBridge project, it signals to other nations—especially those with strained ties to the West—that the dollar is no longer the only game in town,” Sigel said.
For Zhong Yang Chan, Head of Research at CoinGecko, these efforts could prove catastrophic for the United States’ dominance.
“Broader de-dollarization efforts by China, or other major economies, will threaten the status of the dollar’s global reserve currency status. This could have [a] profound impact on the US and its economy, as this would lead to nations reducing their holdings of US treasuries, which the US relies on to finance its national debt,” he told BeInCrypto.
However, the strength of the US dollar and other dominant currencies has already shown signs of weakening.
A General Wave of Currency Decline
Sigel’s research shows that the four strongest global currencies—the US dollar, Japanese yen, British pound, and European euro—have lost value over time, particularly in cross-border payments.
The decline of these currencies creates a void where Bitcoin can gain traction as a key alternative for international trade settlements.
“This shift isn’t purely about promoting the yuan. It’s also about minimizing vulnerability to US sanctions and the politicization of payment rails like SWIFT. That opens the door for neutral, non-sovereign assets—especially those that are digitally native, decentralized, and liquid,” Sigel added.
This lack of national allegiance also sets Bitcoin apart from traditional currencies.
Bitcoin’s Appeal: A Non-Sovereign Alternative
Unlike fiat money or central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), Bitcoin doesn’t respond to any one nation, which makes it appealing to some countries.
For Terence Kwok, CEO and Founder of Humanity Protocol, recent geopolitical tensions have heightened this belief.
“Trust in traditional financial infrastructure is eroded during geopolitical standoffs. Bitcoin, with its transparent ledger and decentralized governance, offers a compelling alternative for value storage and peer-to-peer settlement, especially where neutral, non-sovereign options are preferable. In that sense, geopolitical tension can inadvertently catalyze innovation and adoption in decentralized finance,” Kwok told BeInCrypto.
Because Bitcoin’s supply is limited, it provides a more secure option for nations whose local currency loses value through inflation.
“Bitcoin, due to its scarcity and decentralized nature, is completely different from the centralized fiat currency system and is not affected by changes in monetary policy. Therefore, it can be used as a hedging tool to cope with the depreciation of fiat currencies or geopolitical risks. Especially in the context of rising inflation or challenges to the dominance of the US dollar, allocating some Bitcoin can help diversify investment risks and provide investors with more robust asset protection,” Kevin Guo, Director of HashKey Research, added to the conversation.
For these same reasons, experts don’t expect Bitcoin to replace fiat currencies fully but rather provide a vital alternative for certain cases.
A Replacement or an Alternative?
While Bitcoin offers several advantages over traditional currencies, Gate.io’s Kevin Lee doesn’t foresee its eventual adoption causing a complete overhaul of the currency reserve system.
“Bitcoin is increasingly being recognized for its unique technological characteristics, such as fixed supply, decentralized governance, and borderless accessibility. However, I don’t believe it is meant to replace [the] traditional fiat system, but rather an alternative to it for various business use cases, particularly for diversification and long-term value preservation strategies,” Lee told BeInCrypto.
Guo agreed with this last point, adding that Bitcoin will be more appealing case-by-case.
“Countries may selectively adopt Bitcoin based on their own economic needs, but its application areas are mainly concentrated in niche markets such as cross-border remittances, circumventing sanctions, and hedging inflation,” he said.
Bitcoin must first address several of its shortcomings before it can become truly competitive in the long run.
What Challenges Still Face Bitcoin’s Wider Adoption?
Due to its relatively new status and lack of full development, Bitcoin suffers from shortcomings that prevent mass adoption.
“As with any emerging asset class, Bitcoin faces inherent challenges, including market volatility, evolving regulatory frameworks, infrastructure maturity, and cyclical hypes. These factors may impact its short-term adoption pace,” Lee explained.
To that point, Kwok added:
“Bitcoin’s price swings make it less viable for day-to-day transactions or as a primary reserve asset today. Furthermore, if major powers enforce strict capital controls or implement hostile crypto policies, it could slow down adoption despite broader macro trends in its favor.”
Meanwhile, there’s the competitive advantage of stablecoins, which currently dominate cross-border payments.
“Crypto assets represented by US dollar stablecoins (such as USDT and USDC) are rapidly occupying the main market of cross-border payments and blockchain transactions. Stablecoins have low volatility due to their peg (mostly to the US dollar), making them the preferred tool for international transactions and fund transfers, while Bitcoin is more often used as a store of value or speculative asset,” Guo, Director of HashKey Research told BeInCrypto.
The Bitcoin network has also experienced problems that have exacerbated global demand.
Bitcoin Network Under Strain
Since the beginning of the year, Bitcoin has experienced a significant slowdown in network activity, despite the asset’s bullish performance.
“The usage rate of the Bitcoin network is declining, and its on-chain transaction fees have dropped to the lowest point since 2012, indicating that network activity is gradually decreasing,” Guo said.
Recent data confirms this. The number of Bitcoin transactions has fallen significantly since the last quarter of 2024. Bitcoin registered over 610,684 transactions in November, but that number dropped to 376,369 in April, according to Glassnode data.
The number of Bitcoin active addresses paints a similar picture. In December, the network had nearly 891,623 addresses. Today, that number stands at 609,614.
This decline suggests reduced demand for its blockchain in terms of transactions, usage, and adoption, meaning fewer people are actively using it for transfers, business, or Bitcoin-based applications.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin network must also ensure its infrastructure is efficient enough to meet global demand.
Can Bitcoin Scale for Global Use?
In 2018, Lightning Labs launched the Lightning Network to reduce the cost and time required for cryptocurrency transactions. Currently, the Bitcoin network can only handle around seven transactions per second, while Visa, for example, handles around 65,000.
“If expansion solutions (such as the Lightning Network) fail to become popular, Bitcoin’s ability to process only about 7 transactions per second will be difficult to support global demand. At the same time, as Bitcoin block rewards are gradually halved, the decline in miners’ income may threaten the long-term security of the network,” Guo, Director of HashKey Research explained.
While the confluence of geopolitical shifts and Bitcoin’s inherent characteristics undeniably create a space for its increased adoption as an alternative to the US dollar and even a potential reserve asset, significant hurdles remain.
Achieving mainstream Bitcoin adoption hinges on overcoming scalability, volatility, regulatory hurdles, stablecoin competition, and ensuring network security.
The unfolding panorama suggests Bitcoin will carve out an important role in the global financial system, though a complete overhaul of established norms seems unlikely in the immediate future.
Disclaimer
Following the Trust Project guidelines, this feature article presents opinions and perspectives from industry experts or individuals. BeInCrypto is dedicated to transparent reporting, but the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of BeInCrypto or its staff. Readers should verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
A group of veteran derivatives and FX traders in the US are launching USDi, a stablecoin designed to adjust its price in line with inflation. Its value will change regularly based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and the performance of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS).
Founder Michael Ashton aims to offer an asset that maintains purchasing power by minimizing exposure to inflation risk. However, with intense competition in the stablecoin market, USDi will need strong early traction to carve out its place.
A Stablecoin To Beat Inflation?
Stablecoins are in the spotlight right now, with friendly US regulation spurring a potential boom in trading volumes. Given the current pro-regulatory environment in the US and growing adoption, many new players are innovating.
Today, derivatives trader Michael Ashton announced USDi, a stablecoin built to fight inflation.
“The riskless asset doesn’t actually currently exist, and that’s inflation-linked cash. Holding cash is an option on future opportunities, and the cost of that option is inflation. If you create inflation-linked cash, that’s the end of the risk line,” Ashton claimed.
Investors have been using crypto to hedge against inflation for years, but USDi is a novel approach to the problem. Ashton joined two co-founders, an FX veteran, and a technical specialist, to create the firm USDi Partners LLC.
USDi is a stablecoin that is correlated with the dollar but isn’t pegged to it. Instead, it will loosely orbit the dollar, but its value will fluctuate alongside US inflation.
That prospect may seem convoluted, but a simple system defines the stablecoin’s value. Essentially, Ashton claimed that USDi would rise in accordance with regular CPI reports, calculating the total inflation since a predetermined start date.
This date is December 2024, so it’s still quite close to the dollar. Today, for example, USDi’s price is $1.00863.
The novel stablecoin is inspired by the Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), a government bond designed to protect against inflation. Since CPI reports only happen once per month, Ashton will adjust USDi’s price in accordance with more frequent data used by TIPS investors.
To maintain this system, Ashton will manage a fund that acts as the stablecoin’s reserves. USDi Partners will mint and burn tokens according to the daily level of inflation, plus a small transaction fee.
Only accredited investors can partake in the initial launch, but USDi Partners hasn’t announced an official release date.
In short, USDi seems like a unique approach to the crypto economy, but the stablecoin market is full of competition. Ideally, Ashton and his co-founders will be able to get some early traction to get this project off the ground.
If it proves successful, it can help demonstrate the versatility of crypto’s practical applications.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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