Key Takeaways
- Institutional products, custody solutions, and RWAs are hot topics amongst Europe’s biggest Web3 players.
- The European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona wraps today, October 17, 2025.
- Startups and well-established firms are more confident than ever in crypto’s long-term future.
The crypto and blockchain industry is bustling, and institutional players are the big draw at this year’s European Blockchain Conference (EBC) in Barcelona.
Judging from conversations with young degens wearing crypto-branded t-shirts and hoodies, and those adorned in suits and ties, it seems that European institutions are eager to catch up with the U.S., and sentiment remains bullish despite the market downturn.
Suits, Ties, and Degens
On Oct. 16, I had the privilege of attending the EBC and brushing shoulders with some of the brightest thinkers and innovators in Web3.
Taking the main stage, we had the likes of OKX, GoMining, BitPanda, Deutsche Börse Group, and Standard Chartered discussing 2025’s incredible wave of institutional adoption, unraveling global and European regulations, as well as crypto wallets, mining, and custody solutions.
Under these key topics, speakers explored the appeal of institutional DeFi, the untapped crypto’s institutional lending market, real-world asset tokenization, and examined whether financial institutions are adopting crypto solutions.
Speaking with OKX Europe’s CEO, Erald Ghoos, he told me that institutional investors drove this year’s bull run.
Yet, he notes that European markets are still playing catch-up with the U.S., but this is changing as MiCA continues to come into force and institutional investors and their risk departments feel more comfortable depositing into crypto.
Beyond the Hype
The venue was surprisingly busy, which made it tricky to find a seat and get writing at times, but fortunately, there were enough faces, old and young, who were eager to share their views.
Many were quick to point out that the unexpected market dip earlier this month had presented some challenges in the short term, catching many off guard, but it hadn’t deterred their long-term view.
There’s a sense that things are “different” this time around, and this is largely thanks to crypto and blockchain firms not only finding real-world use cases, but actually delivering on them.
As I strolled the venue floor, I noticed a common theme of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization solutions and platforms for gold, silver, and even diamonds, something I couldn’t have imagined when I began writing in crypto back in 2017.
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Eddie is a gaming and crypto writer at CCN. Covering the often weird and wonderful world of Web3 with an adoring, but skeptical eye.
Prior to CCN, Eddie has spent the past seven years working his way through the crypto, finance, and technology industry. He began with PR and journalism with Bitcoin PR Buzz and BitcoinNews.com, eventually working his way to become a copywriter with a dozen firms, including the likes of Polkadot before returning to journalism in 2023.
Having studied Radio production and journalism at University in the UK, Eddie spent a few years making podcasts and presenting on a local London radio station as he built up his writing chops.
A lifelong skateboarder, Eddie can often be found at the skatepark or touring the streets looking for something new to try. That, or kicking back playing JRPGs on his original PSP.
