Unregulated Crypto Loans in Europe? 😳 | Bybit EU CEO

In this episode of Bitcoin.com News Interviews, host George Herrera speaks with George Herrera, co-CEO of BybitEU, during Paris Blockchain Week 2026. The conversation explores the current state of crypto regulation in Europe, particularly the lack of specific regulation for crypto loans despite broader frameworks like MiCA and MIFID. Herrera highlights that while crypto loans remain unregulated—creating a unique opportunity for innovation—regulators are increasingly focused on fostering safe, compliant innovation rather than stifling it. He discusses BybitEU’s strategic focus on Europe due to its large market size and clear regulatory path, despite the complexity of obtaining multiple licenses (MiCA, e-money, MIFID). The discussion also touches on the growing potential of euro-denominated stablecoins, tokenized stocks, and the need for efficient financial infrastructure to enable instant, fractional trading—especially for retail users. Herrera emphasizes that European users are financially conservative but increasingly open to crypto if offered secure, user-friendly alternatives to traditional finance. Key takeaways include: 1) Crypto loans in Europe remain unregulated, presenting both opportunity and future risk; 2) Europe’s fragmented licensing system (MiCA, e-money, MIFID) creates high compliance costs, but reform may be on the horizon; 3) The demand for instant, 24/7 financial services—like swapping Bitcoin for Tesla stock at 2 a.m.—is driving innovation in tokenized assets; 4) Euro-denominated stablecoins are essential for reducing FX risk and improving usability; 5) Success in Europe will be measured not just by crypto-specific metrics, but by broader financial adoption, including deposits, trading volume, and market share across traditional and crypto finance.