Key Takeaways
- Over 60% of global institutions prefer regulated crypto exposure through ETFs and ETPs.
- Europe’s crypto ETP market has reached $13.6 billion, fueled by clearer regulations and growing demand for economic freedom.
- Coinbase expects institutions to shift capital into crypto as economic conditions evolve, particularly in stable, well-regulated environments.
Institutions are no longer hesitant about entering the crypto market.
As the digital asset landscape matures, many are opting for regulated investment vehicles that offer a blend of security, compliance, and investor confidence.
Across Europe, momentum is building for regulated crypto products, marking a new phase in institutional engagement with digital assets.
Institutional Crypto Adoption Continues to Grow
Institutional interest in crypto is rising, with over 60% of global institutions favoring regulated investment vehicles like ETFs and ETPs, according to Coinbase research.
Keith Grose, Senior Managing Director at Coinbase UK, believes this trend will accelerate as demand for secure, compliant exposure to crypto assets grows.
“We’re expecting institutional adoption to continue growing. Rather than replacing direct crypto engagement, this growth reflects a broader expansion in access—one that supports greater choice, improved market structure, and more ways to participate in the crypto economy,” Grose told CCN.
Europe’s crypto ETP market, valued at $13.6 billion, reflects the region’s broader growth in the crypto space.
“Over the next three to five years, growth in Europe’s crypto economy will be driven by regulatory clarity, institutional product innovation, and, most importantly, the demand for greater economic freedom,” said Grose.
The launch of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP, backed by Coinbase as the custodian, is a key milestone. According to Grose, it signals that European institutional adoption is entering a new phase.
“From our perspective, it’s a clear sign that European institutional adoption is entering a new phase,” the director said.
The Role of Regulation in Driving Growth
The launch of BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP aligns with the implementation of Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which provides the regulatory clarity institutions have long awaited.
“Our role as custodian reinforces trust in the security and compliance of the underlying asset infrastructure,” Grose said.
With MiCA in place, the EU has a strong foundation for sustainable, long-term growth in crypto markets.
“Harmonized rules, regulatory clarity, and a maturing institutional landscape are already driving upward momentum, and we expect that to continue, particularly in institutional products like ETPs. Continued progress on secondary rules and strong public-private collaboration will be key to sustaining this growth,” Grose told CCN.
Globally, there’s a noticeable shift in regulatory approaches. Just a year ago, many jurisdictions focused on enforcement. Now, governments are actively building clear, forward-looking frameworks in collaboration with the industry.
Examples of this shift include MiCA in Europe and the U.K.’s Financial Services and Markets Act .
“As for the UK, the country must act decisively to remain competitive, as the EU and U.S. are moving quickly. That means advancing regulatory clarity on stablecoins and staking, improving institutional access, and fostering innovation with a secure, consumer-first approach,” Grose noted.
Institutional Allocators Set to Re-engage with Risk Assets
In addition to regulatory clarity, the changing macroeconomic environment is influencing institutional behavior. Allocators are seeking compliant, efficient vehicles to re-enter risk assets like crypto.
Grose anticipates that institutional investors will gradually return to risk assets as confidence in the macroeconomic environment increases. “We expect institutional allocators to re-engage with risk assets, including crypto, gradually.”
The regulatory clarity provided by MiCA positions the EU as a key destination for renewed institutional interest in crypto.
According to Coinbase, institutions are increasingly looking for scalable, compliant vehicles to access the crypto market. The EU’s stable and predictable regulatory environment makes it an attractive option compared to other global jurisdictions.
“As macro confidence returns, capital flows will increasingly favor jurisdictions where regulation and infrastructure are aligned, and the EU is one of them,” Grose concluded.
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