EthCC 2024: Kaiko’s Key Takeaways from Brussels

july 24th 2024

This July, the Kaiko team ventured to Brussels for the 7th edition of EthCC and 4th edition of EthVC. Our CEO Ambre Soubiran and Head of Growth Anastasia Melachrinos took to the stage to discuss the topic of benchmarking data and ETF’s.

Departing from its Parisian roots, this year’s EthCC found a new home in Belgium’s capital. The event proved to be the largest yet, boasting over 6,400 attendees, 390 speakers, and 30 startups pitching at EthVC. The 4-day event featured standout keynotes, a 3-day VC track hosted by Kaiko, and hundreds of side events across the city.

Echoing last year’s event, two major themes dominated discussions: the mass adoption of crypto and the evolving landscape of regulation and compliance.

EthVC

Running parallel to the main event, the “EthVC Track” is a unique opportunity for VCs and carefully selected blockchain-based projects to meet and exchange over an intense 3-day program. Since our CEO Ambre Soubiran launched the initiative in 2020, we have been dedicated to connecting innovative blockchain startups with investors eager to support the next wave of tech talent. This year’s EthVC was our largest yet, mirroring the growth of EthCC, with 30 startups pitching to venture capitalists.

We hosted our annual investor event at the renowned Brussels Auction House, where peers gathered for an evening of fine art, champagne, and networking.

Ambre Soubiran: Benchmarking Data for Crypto Derivatives Settlement

On day two, CEO Ambre took to the main stage to discuss the critical role of benchmarking data in settling crypto derivatives. Key points included:

The crucial need for independent, audited, and regulated benchmarks, as highlighted by the LIBOR scandal.

Over 50% of BTC Futures Open Interest on crypto exchanges currently lack regulated benchmarks.

The potential for manipulation attempts with non-independent benchmarks, underscoring the need for regulated data.

Ambre showcased how Kaiko indices offer full regulatory compliance, SOC2 Type 2 certification, and a robust, transparent methodology. We’re proud to be the chosen provider of regulated benchmarks for derivatives settlements for industry leaders like Gemini, CBOE, Bitstamp, and D2X.

Watch the replay, here.

Anastasia Melachrinos: The Impact of Crypto ETFs on the Market

Anastasia delivered a compelling keynote on “How Crypto ETFs are Shaping the Market,” examining the impact of the BTC ETF and projections for upcoming ETH and SOL ETFs. Key insights included:

BTC ETFs registered a total volume exceeding $2 billion on launch day.

ETH outperformed BTC price-wise following the approval announcement, reversing a trend of underperformance.

Derivatives markets saw strong capital inflows for ETH Futures, with open interest for ETH contracts hitting an all-time high of $11 billion.

Watch the replay, here.

Kaiko is thrilled to have participated in another successful EthCC. This event continues to contribute to the crypto ecosystem, offering invaluable opportunities to connect with familiar faces and new connections. We’re grateful for the experience and look forward to EthCC[8] next year.

See you next year in Cannes!