Bitcoin’s sharp move from USD 126,000 to just above 80,000 set the backdrop for this year’s «Finanz und Wirtschaft» Forum in Zurich, where a panel of industry specialists examined how different parts of the market are interpreting recent volatility. Ilan Solot, Senior Global Markets Strategist at Marex Solutions joined Werner Brönnimann, Senior Investment Manager at Amina Bank, and Lucy Taylor, Head of Crypto-as-a-Service EMEA at Coinbase. The discussion was moderated by Philippe Béguelin, journalist at Finanz und Wirtschaft.
Rather than focusing solely on price action, the conversation explored how investors have historically behaved during periods of volatility and how attitudes have evolved as the market has matured. The panel also discussed how instruments with predefined parameters are viewed in such environments, recognising that approaches differ widely depending on individual circumstances and risk considerations.
The discussion then moved to Digital Asset Treasury companies such as MicroStrategy, whose leveraged exposure to Bitcoin has drawn attention to questions around liquidity management and how corporate strategies interact with market cycles. Stablecoins also featured, particularly their role in transactions and settlement, as well as the broader interest generated by their substantial holdings of short-dated government bonds.
Regulatory developments, especially in the United States, formed another central theme, with reflections on how increased clarity may influence institutional planning even though the longer-term effects remain uncertain. The availability of regulated instruments such as ETFs and futures was mentioned as part of the broader infrastructure now used when structuring digital asset-linked products.
The session closed with a broad look at factors that may shape sentiment over time—from institutional engagement to regulatory evolution and macroeconomic conditions—without taking a view on future price movements. Overall, the forum offered a timely snapshot of how the digital asset landscape is evolving and how different market participants are approaching current developments.
