Changpeng Zhao Drops a Bombshell on Europe’s Phantom Crypto Strategy
At the Token2049 conference in Dubai on April 30, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance, did not mince his words: Europe is almost absent from the crypto adoption debate. According to Zhao, while countries like the United Arab Emirates or Bhutan are accumulating bitcoin and ethereum as strategic reserves, European countries are making no progress.
In Brief
- Changpeng Zhao laments the lack of a clear crypto strategy in Europe, except for Montenegro.
- Countries like the Emirates or Bhutan are already accumulating bitcoin and ethereum as reserves.
- The EU is moving slowly despite the MiCA framework, with no coordinated crypto reserve project.
- The United States, with the recent example of Arizona, is gaining a strategic advantage.
Crypto: Changpeng Zhao criticizes Europe for its inertia in adoption
“I don’t see Europe in this discussion“, he declared. The only notable exception according to him: Montenegro, whose Prime Minister is considered “visionary and open“. The country also aims to become a center of blockchain innovation. But for the rest of the continent, the lack of concrete commitment to crypto is glaring.
Meanwhile, the European Union struggles to convince with the gradual implementation of the MiCA regulatory framework, launched in December 2024. Although it governs the crypto markets, no coordinated bitcoin reserve project has yet emerged. In January 2025, the Czech National Bank mentioned an investment of 7 billion dollars in a bitcoin reserve, but BTC volatility posed a real obstacle to this adoption.
The Old Continent lagging behind American initiatives
In contrast, the United States is making progress on this issue with several legislative initiatives at the federal and state levels. As recently as April 2025, Arizona took a decisive step toward adopting bitcoin as a strategic asset. On April 28, the state legislature approved two bills, SB1025 and SB1373, allowing the state treasurer to invest up to 10% of public funds in crypto assets, including BTC.
These measures now await Governor Katie Hobbs’ signature to take effect. This precisely confirms Changpeng Zhao’s remarks: the world is moving, but Europe is slow to follow. A harsh assessment from CZ, affirming his role as a critical watchdog in the crypto world.
While bold nations are taking a stand on crypto, Europe remains frozen in observation, worse, it might even ban bitcoin. Changpeng Zhao’s criticisms now sound like a warning: without a quick response, the Old Continent risks losing its place in the new digital economy driven by cryptocurrencies.
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The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.