The intersection of fintech and crypto – we’ve been here before

Special Report: The world of crypto moves fast. Matt Poblocki looks back at his first 100 days in the head honcho role at Binance Australia, and sees a sector emerging into the mainstream. But… critical building blocks are needed to reach 1 billion users.

Words by Matt Poblocki Australia General Manager at Binance. 

The crypto sector moves too fast to stand still for too long.

Since I joined Binance 100 days ago, we’ve seen the crypto market reach over $4 trillion market cap for the first time; the Bitcoin price set a record high above $US123,000; and the US implement significant reforms – allowing cryptocurrency to be included in the investments in 401(k) retirement accounts alongside the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. These strong tailwinds have seen crypto reach a tipping point, with booming user adoption from both retail and institutional investors.

There is little doubt that crypto and Web3 has hit the mainstream, and we are now witnessing the rapid convergence of traditional finance with decentralised models of finance.

This convergence is something I have witnessed firsthand before. I have been fortunate to spend time during my career with some of the leading fintech disruptors, including Afterpay, eBay and PayPal. As we are seeing now in the world of Web3, these new technologies introduced new ways of doing business, payments and commerce.

When I look at the world of crypto, blockchain in particular, and how it is being adopted on mass by both consumers and government, I see a similar trajectory to these innovative fintech startups.

Unlocking the path to 1 billion crypto users

With the increasing participation of institutional investors in the digital assets market, advancements in global regulatory frameworks, and technological innovations in blockchain, digital assets are becoming more integrated into the broader financial system. The future of finance will be more inclusive as Web3 adoption and integration into traditional financial systems continue to grow.

This presents exciting opportunities.

We see a world where, as an industry, we can collectively onboard over 1 billion crypto users. To realise this vision, we need: (1) increased education and awareness of digital assets; (2) greater regulatory clarity and harmonisation across jurisdictions; and (3) a more user-friendly and intuitive product suite.

Consumer education

To drive the next wave of crypto adoption, the industry must invest in tools and accessible education that meet people where they are. Clear, reliable, and easy-to-understand information is essential to help users navigate both the opportunities and the risks of digital assets. Binance Academy is our way of meeting this demand across all knowledge levels – from first-time users to seasoned investors – because we believe education is the foundation for long-term growth and trust in the sector.

Regulatory clarity

Regulation is crucial for the lifecycle of all innovative sectors. It provides the framework needed to foster innovation, while ensuring safe and secure access to transformative technologies. At Binance, we are committed to advancing the industry responsibly and sustainably. In fact, Binance holds 21 licences and registrations globally, reflecting our commitment to working with regulators worldwide.

What we are seeing across the globe is more countries recognising digital assets are here to stay, and they’re working to build strong, clear regulatory frameworks to support innovation and, importantly, protect investors. Clear and harmonised rules are crucial to fostering responsible innovation, protecting consumers, and ensuring Australia remains competitive as a hub for financial services and technological advancement.

Product innovation

Sustained growth in the Web3 and crypto industry will depend on our ability to deliver products that are intuitive, secure, and genuinely useful to people’s everyday lives. The challenge is to create solutions that address real-world needs, simplify user experiences, and seamlessly integrate with the broader digital economy. The emergence of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is an example of innovation that has lowered the barriers to entry and accelerated adoption. Looking ahead, innovation will need to focus on not just adding features but creating pathways to broaden participation and embed crypto into the global finance system.

Today, we are at a tipping point – one where crypto, and Web3, is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. This mainstream adoption presents significant opportunities, especially for market leaders like Binance, to step up and stand out.

As the lines between TradFi and Web3 become increasingly blurred, we can pave a new way forward that delivers greater industry innovation and superior user outcomes.

The views, information, or opinions expressed in the interviews in this article are solely those of the contributing author and do not represent the views of Stockhead.

This article was developed in collaboration with Binance, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.