Erald Ghoos, OKX Europe CEO — MiCA, Malta, and the 80% Exchange Reckoning

Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe, joins Bitcoin.com News Live at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to discuss the evolving regulatory landscape for crypto in Europe, particularly focusing on MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation). Ghoos shares his journey from traditional finance—bank startups and global payments—to becoming a leading figure in the crypto industry, emphasizing how his skepticism toward Bitcoin in 2017 evolved into deep passion and leadership. He explains why OKX chose Malta as its European headquarters, citing the MFSA’s proactive regulatory framework, talent availability, favorable taxation, and quality of life. Ghoos highlights that OKX was the first global exchange to secure a MiCA license in Malta and now holds all three key European licenses (MiCA, PI/EMI, and MIFID). He warns that 80% of European crypto exchanges may not survive the regulatory burden, though he stresses this is not necessarily a bad outcome—regulation brings legitimacy and consumer protection. He also introduces Xperps, a new regulated derivatives product designed to bridge the gap between offshore liquidity and onshore safety, offering high liquidity, local payment methods, and a unified account system. Ghoos expresses cautious optimism about Europe’s future, noting emerging regulatory recognition of overburdening rules and a growing call for simplification and deregulation. He concludes by discussing the potential of tokenized stocks to enable 24/7 global access to major exchanges like NYSE and Euronext.