The perception that retail investors have disappeared from the cryptocurrency market is misleading, according to Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. Speaking during an interview at the Consensus conference in Toronto, Usi Zade highlighted that retail traders have refined their strategies, moving away from speculative trading toward more sustainable and practical applications of crypto. He attributed this change to a combination of factors, including the cautious sentiment following the previous crypto bull and bear markets.
"Retail investors’ appetite for risk is much lower because we know what happened with the stock market and every other aspect," Usi Zade noted. He emphasized the need for smarter investments, as economic uncertainty has left many with less disposable income for trading.
To adapt to this evolving landscape, Bitget is expanding into areas like crypto payments and stablecoin services. This strategy shift aligns with broader industry trends as users seek safer, more functional use cases for their assets following the volatile market experienced in 2021.
Usi Zade also mentioned the rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), which now comprise nearly 10% of the crypto derivatives market. These platforms offer users early access to tokens not readily available on centralized exchanges, appealing to those wanting to capitalize on emerging opportunities outside traditional trading environments.
Bitget is emerging as a significant player in the crypto exchange space, boasting over $3.4 billion in average daily volumes, with over 800 cryptocurrencies listed. Furthermore, Bitget Onchain facilitates trading across an extensive range of DEXs and cross-chain bridges.
Reflecting on the evolution of the market, Usi Zade suggested that the industry may be shifting away from the traditional boom-bust cycles defined by extreme market fluctuations. Instead, he anticipates a new pattern characterized by incremental bull and bear episodes.
Bitcoin, Usi Zade explained, is particularly unique, trading in its own dynamic influenced increasingly by macroeconomic factors and institutional interest, especially following the introduction of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He concluded, "As an exchange, we are trying to reinvent ourselves with regulations and KYC, becoming more bank-like to accommodate this new reality in the market."
"Retail investors’ appetite for risk is much lower because we know what happened with the stock market and every other aspect," Usi Zade noted. He emphasized the need for smarter investments, as economic uncertainty has left many with less disposable income for trading.
To adapt to this evolving landscape, Bitget is expanding into areas like crypto payments and stablecoin services. This strategy shift aligns with broader industry trends as users seek safer, more functional use cases for their assets following the volatile market experienced in 2021.
Usi Zade also mentioned the rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), which now comprise nearly 10% of the crypto derivatives market. These platforms offer users early access to tokens not readily available on centralized exchanges, appealing to those wanting to capitalize on emerging opportunities outside traditional trading environments.
Bitget is emerging as a significant player in the crypto exchange space, boasting over $3.4 billion in average daily volumes, with over 800 cryptocurrencies listed. Furthermore, Bitget Onchain facilitates trading across an extensive range of DEXs and cross-chain bridges.
Reflecting on the evolution of the market, Usi Zade suggested that the industry may be shifting away from the traditional boom-bust cycles defined by extreme market fluctuations. Instead, he anticipates a new pattern characterized by incremental bull and bear episodes.
Bitcoin, Usi Zade explained, is particularly unique, trading in its own dynamic influenced increasingly by macroeconomic factors and institutional interest, especially following the introduction of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He concluded, "As an exchange, we are trying to reinvent ourselves with regulations and KYC, becoming more bank-like to accommodate this new reality in the market."
