Merge Madrid showcased a pivotal moment in Europe’s financial evolution, as leading banks, crypto firms and regulators came together to discuss the integration of blockchain, digital assets and real-world tokenisation. Held from 7 to 9 October across the historic Palacio de Santoña and Palacio de Cibeles, the event reflected a clear shift in traditional finance’s attitude, no longer debating the merits of blockchain, but planning its adoption.
Rising Confidence in Blockchain Adoption
The opening day brought together key figures from Binance, Ripple, Banco de España and other industry leaders. There was a striking consensus: institutions are no longer questioning whether to embrace blockchain, but when.
“It was refreshing to hear banks not thinking about if they were going to jump into blockchain, but when,” remarked Nolvia Serrano, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at TR Capital.
Ripple’s Cassie Craddock added her anticipation for broader institutional adoption, expressing a desire to see more European banks utilise stablecoins for faster, cross-border payments.
A Distinctly European Dialogue
Across three stages, Binance Main Stage, CAM Builders Stage and Business Stage, speakers explored regulatory clarity, MiCA standards and the digital euro. Presentations were delivered in both English and Spanish, highlighting the event’s strong European and Latin American representation.
Several major participants, including Bybit, BitGo and CryptoFinance, have recently navigated regulatory milestones. While debate continues over whether regulation aligns with Web3’s decentralised ethos, it is evident that more projects now operate within frameworks that encourage integration with traditional finance.
Tokenisation Becomes the Focal Point
Tokenisation dominated multiple panel discussions, particularly around real-world assets such as equities and investment funds. Experts stressed that the next major phase in blockchain will involve real-world asset projects designed to bridge institutional finance and decentralised platforms.
“In the next phase of blockchain development, we will see an increase in real-world asset tokenisations, especially for stocks and funds,” said Alessandro Bergamaschi, Solidity developer at Javis Network. “This will be crucial for bringing traditional finance users into Web3.”
Redefining Custody in a Digital Era
The future of custody sparked deep debate. Eric Piscini, CEO at Hashgraph, addressed a key dilemma, professional custody versus self-custody. He noted that individuals do not wish to personally secure all their wealth at all times, reinforcing the necessity of regulated custodial services as the sector matures.
Luis Ayala of BitGo raised a sensitive but essential concern: inheritance. How will digital assets be safeguarded and passed on if a holder becomes unavailable? Aliya, Senior Vice President at Sygnum Bank, added that many processes taken for granted in traditional finance still lack clarity in Web3, highlighting the need for robust legal and custodial frameworks.
Global Perspectives and Real Impact
Merge Madrid fostered a space for meaningful business exchanges. Lukas De Bebedetti, COO at Block Travel, praised the event for its business-driven environment, noting that participants were eager to build partnerships rather than engage in theory.
TR Capital’s Serrano also reflected on the global shift in perception, particularly regarding El Salvador, where Bitcoin adoption has reshaped its global reputation. “For the first time, El Salvador is on the map for something positive,” she said. “As Salvadorians, this makes us proud, we are taking a chance on Bitcoin and blockchain.”
Merge Madrid demonstrated a powerful alignment between innovation and regulation. With tokenisation, digital custody and institutional participation at the forefront, Europe is positioning itself as a core hub for the next evolution of finance, one where Web3 and traditional institutions no longer compete, but converge.
Leave a Reply