Bitcoin.com News Interviews

George Mekhail, Managing Director of Bitcoin for Corporations at BTC Inc, explains why Bitcoin is no longer being ignored by institutions — it’s being actively challenged.In this interview from the Bitcoin MENA Conference, George breaks down why corporate Bitcoin treasury companies are being targeted, how global corporate adoption is accelerating, the role of advocacy in protecting Bitcoin companies, and whether the traditional four-year Bitcoin cycle still applies.Topics covered include: • Why institutions are pushing back against Bitcoin • Corporate Bitcoin adoption around the world • Regulatory friction in Europe vs the United States • The MSCI proposal targeting Bitcoin-heavy balance sheets • Whether Bitcoin’s four-year cycle is changing

Dylan LeClair, Head of Bitcoin Strategy at Metaplanet, joins David Sencil at the Bitcoin MENA Conference to explain how a new generation came to Bitcoin before traditional economic theory — and how that perspective now informs one of the most aggressive corporate Bitcoin strategies in the world.This interview covers Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury model, using Japanese capital markets to acquire Bitcoin, volatility and options strategies, institutional adoption, why the four-year Bitcoin cycle may never have existed, and why macro liquidity now drives Bitcoin markets.00:00 Introduction to Bitcoin and Personal Journey03:01 Role and Responsibilities at MetaPlanet05:49 Investment Strategies and Market Dynamics08:55 Custody and Capital Raising Strategies11:56 Market Navigation and MNAV Insights15:09 Institutional Interest and Regulatory Landscape17:48 Bitcoin's Future and Privacy Considerations

Ralph Gebran, Managing Partner of Onramp MENA, joins David Sencil at the Bitcoin MENA Conference to explain why Bitcoin custody remains the biggest unresolved issue for institutional and sovereign adoption.This conversation explores proactive regulation in the UAE, how Bitcoin is viewed differently from crypto in the region, institutional hesitancy, centralized custody risks, sovereign involvement, and what to expect from Bitcoin adoption across MENA in 202600:00 Custody Challenges in Bitcoin Adoption01:10 Bitcoin's Historical Context in MENA04:41 Regulatory Approaches in the GCC07:32 Public Perception of Bitcoin in the UAE09:40 Regulatory Nuances Across UAE Regions11:53 Institutional Perspectives on Bitcoin13:36 Institutional Adoption Trends in MENA18:01 Custody Solutions for Institutions23:04 Sovereign Wealth and Bitcoin Investments27:24 Future Outlook for Bitcoin in MENA

Bitcoin mining was designed to be permissionless and decentralized — but is that still true today?At @bitcoinmenaconf, @MiningGrid sits down with @graminitha1 to break down how mining is becoming increasingly centralized, why corporate concentration poses long-term risks to Bitcoin, and how retail-accessible, self-custodial mining can help rebalance the network.The conversation covers:– Why mining centralization threatens Bitcoin’s core principles– Self-custody vs custodial exposure to Bitcoin– Whether mining remains sustainable long-term– The role of retail miners in securing the network– Why participating in mining can protect your Bitcoin investment📍 Conference: @bitcoinmenaconf🎙 Host: @graminitha1🏗 Guest: @MiningGridSubscribe00:00 Introduction to Mining Grid and Its Founders03:00 The Vision Behind Mining Grid06:03 Core Solutions and User Experience08:51 Market Expansion and User Journey11:47 Decentralization vs. Centralization in Mining15:13 The Importance of Self-Custody18:07 Sustainability of Bitcoin Mining20:53 Market Cycles and Future Predictions23:52 Conclusion and Future of Mining Grid to our channel and hit the bell "🔔" icon to get notifications:https://www.youtube.com/bitcoincomofficialchannel?sub_confirmation=1► Who are we?Since 2015, Bitcoin.com has been a global leader in introducing newcomers to crypto. We make it easy for anyone to buy, spend, trade, invest, earn, and stay up-to-date on cryptocurrency and the future of finance. Our mission is to help everyone take ownership of their Bitcoin and their financial future.Buy, sell, trade, earn, use, and learn crypto with the Bitcoin.com Wallet:https://branch.wallet.bitcoin.com/I1dhGnyGNpbStay informed with timely and objective crypto, published daily:https://news.bitcoin.com/Get educated with up-to-date content from Bitcoin.com’s learning center:https://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/Trade permissionlessly on Bitcoin.com's decentralized Verse DEX where you can also earn yield:https://verse.bitcoin.com/► What is Verse?VERSE, which launched in December 2022, is Bitcoin.com’s rewards and utility token. Get VERSE for free in the Bitcoin.com Wallet app, and use it to earn Bitcoin and other rewards.—Join our community and follow us for updates ⬇️►X: https://x.com/Bitcoincom►X News Account: https://x.com/bitcoinnews►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoin.com_official/►Discord: https://discord.gg/hux4sugcQS►Telegram: https://t.me/GetVerse►LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitcoin.com/►Linkedin News Account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitcoin-com-news/

Why is Bitcoin treated as more dangerous than gambling in the West?Director of MENA, BTC Inc Gregg Davis joins David Sencil to discuss Bitcoin adoption in the Middle East, broken Western regulation, why the UAE is pulling ahead, and how Bitcoin MENA is designed to separate Bitcoin from “crypto.”The conversation covers regulation, sound money, event design, institutional adoption, and why Bitcoin’s real value goes far beyond “number go up.”🎙 Interview by David Sencil00:00 The Journey to Bitcoin Evangelism02:53 Life in the Middle East: Misconceptions and Realities06:02 The Bitcoin Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges09:03 Bitcoin MENA: Lessons from the First Event11:52 The Future of Bitcoin: Sentiment and Adoption15:02 Creating a Unique Conference Experience17:54 The Importance of Education in Bitcoin20:57 The Role of Regulation and Leadership in Bitcoin Adoption24:08 The Distinction Between Bitcoin and Crypto27:05 Looking Ahead: The Future of Bitcoin MENA#Bitcoin #crypto #UAESubscribe to our channel and hit the bell "🔔" icon to get notifications:https://www.youtube.com/bitcoincomofficialchannel?sub_confirmation=1► Who are we?Since 2015, Bitcoin.com has been a global leader in introducing newcomers to crypto. We make it easy for anyone to buy, spend, trade, invest, earn, and stay up-to-date on cryptocurrency and the future of finance. Our mission is to help everyone take ownership of their Bitcoin and their financial future.Buy, sell, trade, earn, use, and learn crypto with the Bitcoin.com Wallet:https://branch.wallet.bitcoin.com/I1dhGnyGNpbStay informed with timely and objective crypto, published daily:https://news.bitcoin.com/Get educated with up-to-date content from Bitcoin.com’s learning center:https://www.bitcoin.com/get-started/Trade permissionlessly on Bitcoin.com's decentralized Verse DEX where you can also earn yield:https://verse.bitcoin.com/► What is Verse?VERSE, which launched in December 2022, is Bitcoin.com’s rewards and utility token. Get VERSE for free in the Bitcoin.com Wallet app, and use it to earn Bitcoin and other rewards.—Join our community and follow us for updates ⬇️►X: https://x.com/Bitcoincom►X News Account: https://x.com/bitcoinnews►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoin.com_official/►Discord: https://discord.gg/hux4sugcQS►Telegram: https://t.me/GetVerse►LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitcoin.com/►Linkedin News Account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitcoin-com-news/

How Institutions Actually Trade Crypto | Ian Weisberger (CEO, CoinRoutes)In this interview, Ian Weisberger, CEO of CoinRoutes, breaks down the real plumbing behind crypto markets.From fragmented liquidity and 24/7 trading to arbitrage, derivatives, and institutional execution, Ian explains how crypto market structure differs fundamentally from traditional finance — and why smart routing and trading algorithms matter more as institutions enter the space.Recorded at Bitcoin MENA.#CoinRoutes #algorithmictrading #cryptotrading #OEMS #EMS #SmartOrderRouting

Jamie, CMO at Bitget Wallet, joins David Sencil to explain how crypto is evolving beyond speculation into real-world finance.They discuss how stablecoins are being used for everyday payments, earning yield directly inside wallets, self-custody, regional adoption differences, and why wallets are becoming the core interface for modern finance.Topics covered include:– Paying for real-world goods with crypto– Stablecoins as everyday money– On-chain yield and wealth building– Self-custody vs traditional finance– Why 2026 could be a breakout year for crypto utility

eToro bought Bitcoin early, and the conviction never faded.Yoni Assia, co-founder/CEO of @eToro, explains why Bitcoin is becoming digital gold, how regulation fits in crypto’s future, and why financial markets are moving on-chain.

In this interview, Regina from Bitcoin.com News sits down with Jiho, co-founder of Sky Mavis (the team behind Axie Infinity and Ronin), to talk about the next chapter of Web3 gaming and how Ronin could become a mass-market crypto chain—especially in places like the Philippines and Argentina.Jiho shares his origin story from CryptoKitties to Axie, the underrated early decisions that shaped Web3 gaming, and the biggest lessons from building through multiple market cycles.We cover:- Why Ronin aims to be the best chain for everyday crypto users- Jiho’s early Web3 journey and the rise of Axie Infinity- What he’d do differently if building Axie again today- The long-term identity of Ronin as a full gaming ecosystem- The Ronin Wallet QRPH integration and real-world crypto payments in PH- Common mistakes new Web3 game studios keep repeating- Retention strategies that actually work (quests, battle passes, app tokens)- What blockchain gaming looks like once mass adoption hits- Jiho’s message to Web3 gamers 10 years from now- Updates on Axie MMO: Atia’s Legacy and upcoming playtestsIf you’re bullish on blockchain gaming, community-driven economies, and real crypto utility, this one’s for you.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Ronin and Web3 Gaming03:04 The Evolution of Axie Infinity05:48 Building a Gaming Ecosystem on Ronin08:56 Retention Strategies in Web3 Gaming11:59 The Future of Web3 Gaming and Community Engagement#AxieInfinity #RoninNetwork #Web3Gaming

Gamers spend thousands on in-game items like Fortnite skins—but they can’t resell them. In this interview, Oliver Moroni, Head of Business Development & Partnerships at OpenSea, explains why Web3 changes that through true digital ownership, open marketplaces, and a growing player-creator economy.We talk about:Why Web3 gaming lets players buy, own, and sell digital itemsHow OpenSea evolved beyond NFTs into tokens and multi-chain tradingThe most promising Web3 gaming use cases: skins, in-game tokens, TCGs, and RWAsWhether NFTs are really “dead” or just in a market cycleHow OpenSea rebuilds trust and protects users from scamsThe future of digital ownership and what traditional gamers aren’t ready for yetIf you’re curious how Web3 will reshape gaming, this conversation is for you.00:00 The Promise of Web3 and Digital Ownership04:09 OpenSea's Unique Position in the NFT Market07:51 The Future of Gaming and NFTs11:54 Navigating the NFT Market: Challenges and Opportunities16:04 Building Trust in the NFT Space20:02 The Future of Digital Ownership: Bridging Digital and Physical#Web3Gaming #OpenSea #NFTGaming