Europe Hesitates on Bitcoin as U.S. Pushes Forward

While the U.S. is making bold moves to integrate Bitcoin into its financial strategy, Europes institutions remain hesitant.

Despite America‘s push to establish Bitcoin as part of its national reserves, European companies have shown little interest in following suit. More than three weeks after President Trump’s executive order directing authorities to use seized crypto for federal reserves, major financial players in Europe have remained silent.

Regulatory uncertainty appears to be a key factor. Unlike the U.S., where policymakers are shaping clear guidelines for Bitcoin‘s role, Europe’s regulatory environment is fragmented, making institutional adoption more challenging. According to Elisenda Fabrega of Brickken, this lack of direction is a major reason why European corporations have yet to embrace Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

While Bitcoin has consistently outperformed traditional investments, European firms have been slow to acknowledge its potential. Only a handful, such as BNP Paribas, 21Shares AG, VanEck Europe, and Bitpanda, have disclosed any involvement in the crypto sector. A survey by Bitpanda even suggests that financial institutions in the region may be underestimating investor demand by up to 30%.

Analysts at Bitfinex point to another obstacle—Europes conservative investment culture. Strict mandates and cautious pension funds have kept Bitcoin allocations minimal, unlike in the U.S., where spot Bitcoin ETFs have gained significant traction. Additionally, Europe lacks the deep and liquid capital markets that have fueled American institutional investment.

However, there are signs that sentiment could shift. BlackRock recently launched a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, potentially paving the way for more institutional engagement. But for now, the region lags behind, with regulatory complexity and risk aversion slowing Bitcoins integration into mainstream finance.