Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, said that cryptocurrency is in the “early stage of adoption” globally, although major institutions are beginning to embrace blockchain and crypto agendas. Teng made his remarks during the opening speech of Binance Blockchain Week.
“Crypto is still at a very early stage of adoption, less than 10% globally,” said Teng. “We are at the beginning of the journey. The institutions are now coming too. If you look at all the top 200 institutions around the world, everybody has a blockchain crypto agenda.”
According to a report by Financial News London, in the first quarter of 2024, major hedge funds significantly increased their cryptocurrency holdings. For instance, Millennium Management invested approximately $2 billion in spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), while Schonfeld allocated around $500 million.
The report further indicates that over 50% of top U.S. hedge funds now own Bitcoin ETFs, reflecting a growing institutional confidence in crypto assets.
A separate report by Reuters states that as of October 1, 2024, the total cryptocurrency market capitalization reached $2.2 trillion, marking a substantial increase from $8.3 billion at the start of 2023.
Teng has been CEO of Binance since November 2023 and brings over 30 years of experience in financial services and regulation. Since joining Binance in August 2021, he has advanced the company’s growth with a focus on compliance. Previously, he was CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Chief Regulatory Officer at Singapore Exchange (SGX), and Director of Corporate Finance at the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Binance operates as a major global blockchain platform featuring the largest digital asset exchange by trading volume. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services and is known for its comprehensive ecosystem, which includes educational resources, research initiatives, charitable activities, and an NFT marketplace. According to its website, Binance supports users around the clock in 40 languages and prioritizes security and regulatory compliance to protect its users and contribute to the growth of the blockchain industry.
