The Cryptonomist had the pleasure of interviewing the team of Cryptosmart to delve into their vision of the current global economic scenario, the evolution of the crypto sector, and the strategic role of Italy in retaining capital and stimulating technological innovation.
1. The global economy seems to be moving on unstable ground: inflation, still high rates, geopolitical tensions. How are you experiencing it as entrepreneurs?
The macroeconomic context we are experiencing, in which global uncertainty remains high fueled by persistent geopolitical and commercial tensions, strongly penalizes the economic development of Italian companies due to their strong exposure to foreign trade; this context also creates fear and tension for the consumer/saver who loses awareness in their daily choices, with repercussions for every economic sector, including the crypto sector.
2. The year 2024 was an important year for Bitcoin, between the halving and the approval of spot ETFs in the USA. What is your vision for the future of the crypto sector?
The year 2024 was indeed a key year for Bitcoin and, by extension, for the entire crypto sector. The approval of spot ETFs on Bitcoin by regulatory authorities such as the SEC represented the complete legitimization of the asset in the traditional capital markets and thus the entry of institutional capital on a large scale.
The Bitcoin halving, the arrival of spot ETFs, and the growing institutional attention allow the crypto sector to have significant opportunities ahead to strengthen and mature. At the same time, a balanced regulatory and technological approach will be essential, capable of combining transparency and security with innovation and the freedom to experiment. If these pieces fall into place, the crypto “revolution” can continue consolidating in an increasingly interconnected global scenario.
3. Bitcoin has surpassed new all-time highs, but many are wondering if it is too late to enter. What do you say to those who want to invest today?
In the short term, the price of Bitcoin undergoes significant fluctuations due to news, tweets from influential figures, and market sentiment, with peaks and drops that often prove to be fleeting. However, when viewed from a broader perspective, in the long term it is primarily driven by two fundamental factors: the constant increase in the money supply of euros and dollars, and the continuously expanding adoption of the cryptocurrency on a global level.
The monetary policies of central banks, characterized by incessant currency “printing,” erode the purchasing power of traditional money and favor the search for assets capable of preserving value over time. Bitcoin, with a maximum supply of 21 million units and its periodic halvings that reduce its creation, is considered by many as a refuge against inflation. At the same time, the Bitcoin network continues to attract the interest of investors, companies, and even governments, contributing to the legitimization of this cryptocurrency as a payment tool, store of value, and guarantee in the financial sector.
The growing adoption creates a virtuous circle: the more Bitcoin is accepted, the more demand and trust in it increase, at the expense of short-term speculative movements. While remaining an asset subject to volatility, its long-term trajectory seems to benefit from a constant increase in practical use and exposure in global markets, further incentivized by monetary policies that fuel the inflation of fiat currencies.
4. How do you see Italy’s role in this global scenario? Is there room for innovation and for attracting capital in our country?
The international landscape is increasingly marked by a push towards deglobalization, also fueled by new tariff and protectionist policies. For Italy, relying solely on exports is no longer sufficient nor sustainable in the long term: it becomes essential to strengthen technological innovation within the national territory and encourage the creation of an ecosystem capable of attracting investments. We cannot afford to delegate the research and development of strategic technologies solely to foreign countries.
On the capital front, the primary objective should be, even before attracting new foreign investors, to prevent the flight of Italian capital. It is a concrete problem even in the cryptocurrency and digital asset sector, where a large portion of Italian citizens’ funds are located on foreign exchanges. The challenge is to build a regulatory, infrastructural, and cultural environment capable of retaining assets within national borders. In this sense, entities like Cryptosmart are committed to offering solutions in Italy, creating an opportunity to consolidate the domestic cryptocurrency market and enhance the country’s innovative supply chain. This first step is essential: if Italy manages to keep its capital within the territory, it will be easier to develop skills, create qualified jobs, and enhance those excellences it already possesses, both in the technological sector and in other high-growth potential sectors.
