CREDS Bitstamp
Perfect partners
BCB Group’s collaboration with Bitstamp is illustrative of its desire to work with compliance-focussed firms with major ambitions.
E uropean crypto exchange Bitstamp is a longstanding partner of BCB Group. Having first partnered with BCB way back in July 2019. In 2025, Bitstamp again partnered with BCB, this time for an industry fringe event at Paris Blockchain Week is increasing efforts to expand its institutional footprint amid its pending acquisition by Robinhood Markets. In an interview, Bitstamp’s global CEO Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux, explained that, as one of the longest- standing firms in the sector, he is now focussed on the opportunities in tokenisation, derivatives, and on securing the right regulatory licenses to deepen the company’s presence in EMEA and APAC markets. “We are the adults in the room,” he smiles, before explaining that “institutional clients need security, trust, and regulatory clarity,” which (like BCB Group) has become the number one business focus. Graftieaux first joined Bitstamp in 2014 as Chief Compliance Officer, playing a pivotal role in securing EU regulatory licences for the firm. His tenure from 2014 to 2016 helped lay the foundation for Bitstamp’s compliance-driven approach, now a core pillar of its institutional offering. Following his initial time at Bitstamp, Graftieaux took on senior leadership roles at other major fintech firms, solidifying expertise in regulatory frameworks and financial services. His work included a period as Managing Director for eBay Europe, overseeing regulatory business operations for payments and contributing to strategic growth. He also sat on the board of directors of several eBay entities for five years, influencing key decisions that shaped the company’s financial operations. Graftieaux also spent a significant period at PayPal, where he held the role of Executive and EMEA Chief Compliance Officer. His deep understanding of
edge. The firm is actively seeking regulatory approvals, according to Graftieaux, with Singapore’s MAS licence expected to unlock further expansion in Asia-Pacific. Under his leadership, Bitstamp now plans to launch tokenisation services later this year, though the company won’t act as an issuer. “Our goal is to support clients through the exchange side of the business,” he says, pointing to rising demand for real-world asset tokenisation among institutional players. Further expansion The exchange is now preparing for a derivatives market entry in Europe. If licensed, Bitstamp could tap into demand from hedge funds and high-frequency traders. Its timing couldn’t be better as market participants from both crypto and traditional finance seek secure, regulated venues. The next stage of the company’s growth strategy hinges on tie-ups with major financial institutions, such as Société Générale, BBVA and Swissquote. Its white-label solution already allows banks and fintechs such as Revolut to offer crypto services without an exchange from scratch. “The evolution of stablecoins is a major theme,” Graftieaux says. Bitstamp serves as Société Générale’s exclusive exchange partner for stablecoin activities—a strong validation of its compliance-first approach. Founded in 2011, Bitstamp has now weathered four crypto market downturns, learning how to navigate cycles while maintaining liquidity. As a result, the exchange has solid customer numbers with more than five million clients, up from just 20,000 in 2014. “The industry started with retail, but institutional demand is accelerating,” Graftieaux highlights. “Now, we’re focused on scaling institutional offerings.” ◆
payments infrastructure, compliance, and market expansion has made him a valuable asset in the fintech space. Given his career history in compliance, it is perhaps understandable that he has led a corporate agenda – much like BCB Group – that is regulation first, positioning Bitstamp as one of the most trusted exchanges in the crypto industry. In 2021, he rejoined Bitstamp as CEO for Europe, before taking on the Global CEO role, overseeing institutional expansion, tokenisation projects, and strategic partnerships. Under his leadership, Bitstamp has reinforced this compliance-first approach, securing additional high- profile partnerships, and entering new markets.
Acquisition opportunity Bitstamp initiated talks to sell its
business to Robinhood in 2024, aiming to strengthen its US presence while leveraging its reach across Europe and Asia. The deal positions Robinhood as a more diversified exchange, adding Bitstamp’s institutional clients to its retail-heavy user base. “Robinhood has a strong foundation in US crypto trading,” Graftieaux notes. “This merger brings a highly complementary client mix.” While Binance, Coinbase and Kraken are all well-known trading brands, Bitstamp sees its institutionally focussed strategy as a competitive
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