Building trust: Transparency will drive crypto market growth | Opinion

As a seasoned analyst with extensive experience in both traditional finance and the rapidly evolving crypto market, I can confidently say that transparency is the key to unlocking the true potential of digital assets. Having witnessed firsthand the collapse of FTX and other similar incidents, it’s clear that trust remains a significant hurdle for the industry.


The crypto market has the ability to dramatically change the financial sector, yet there’s a significant hurdle that remains – trust. Trust, which is crucial for any business, especially finance-related, relies heavily on transparency. This aspect should be prioritized properly.

When individuals transfer their savings to another entity, it’s crucial that they comprehend who is managing the funds and what rules govern this process. Additionally, they should be aware of where their cash is being directed. However, without transparency, how can they be certain about putting faith in a company with their valuable savings?

In the realm of cryptocurrencies, this matter assumes significant importance. Unlike conventional financial systems that have long-standing regulatory frameworks, the crypto sector remains relatively uncharted territory, providing ample opportunities for illicit activities by diverse malicious entities.

Let’s take a moment to think back to the FTX exchange incident in 2022, which serves as a stark reminder of what can occur when transparency takes a backseat. In short, when the company declared bankruptcy, it was discovered that FTX had improperly managed user funds. Suspicious dealings and unclear communication led to significant financial losses for investors and caused ripples throughout the entire cryptocurrency sector. This incident underscored the immediate need for tighter regulations and more vigilant supervision within the industry.

Transparency and regulation: How are they to mix?

For the cryptocurrency sector to thrive and gain credibility, it’s crucial that regulations are implemented. As more traditional financial institutions express interest in digital assets, there is a growing demand for transparent and uniform guidelines. Without these, potential investors may hesitate to venture into uncharted territory, constantly worried about running afoul of various regulatory bodies.

Keeping this perspective, an effective regulatory structure ought to find harmony in encouraging the innovative aspects of blockchain technology while ensuring consumer protection. This way, cryptocurrency can earn wider approval from the public.

Progressive regulations are being spearheaded by regions such as the Middle East, Singapore, and the European Union. For instance, in April 2023, the European Union introduced the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MICA), which is designed to establish a consistent regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies across its member states. Simultaneously, Hong Kong implemented a new licensing system for virtual asset service providers, compelling them to secure authorization from the Securities and Futures Commission.

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Without a doubt, all these endeavors are crucial steps towards establishing trust, validating the cryptocurrency sector, and ultimately facilitating widespread acceptance of digital properties.

Achieving a universal transparency standard globally is no simple task due to the borderless nature of cryptocurrency, which necessitates international collaboration to establish uniform regulations. However, this cooperation remains fragmented as different regions apply regulations differently, making it challenging for crypto businesses to comply with varying jurisdictions.

As a crypto investor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how inconsistent regulations and lack of collaboration can stifle progress and development within our industry. Moving forward, it’s imperative that we work towards enhancing regulatory harmony and fostering cooperation to spur growth and innovation.

Improving transparency, one company at a time

Even though worldwide regulations are still being developed, it doesn’t prevent individual businesses from taking initial actions to enhance credibility within the market. One practical approach they can adopt is by ensuring transparency in disclosing their financial standing and operational activities.

Providing prompt and reliable information to stakeholders strengthens their trust and alleviates worries, enabling them to distinguish genuine enterprises from doubtful ones more effectively.

It’s worth noting that cryptocurrency media often emphasize the unfavorable aspects such as scandals, hacking incidents, or inflated coin offerings. This focus is understandable since such topics generate significant interest and readership, which benefits media platforms. However, this approach has the unintended consequence of casting a shadow over legitimate advancements in the industry, leading to increased skepticism that might be unwarranted.

It’s crucial for cryptocurrency businesses to actively collaborate with media outlets and employ diverse communication methods to disseminate correct information. This helps increase public understanding of the favorable advancements happening within crypto, fostering trust and making the industry seem less daunting. By adopting this strategy, companies can position themselves as reliable entities in the market, a move that undeniably benefits their overall performance.

In terms of the practical strategies they might use, it’s worth pointing out a few crucial ones. Initially, by collaborating with media platforms, businesses can draw attention to their successes, new ideas, and internal workings. This helps establish credibility that people can recognize and trust. Secondly, businesses can elevate their standing by participating in industry discussions through interviews and speaking engagements at events. By demonstrating their knowledge and market insight, they position themselves as influential figures in the field. Last but not least, keeping an active presence on social media allows companies to keep their audience informed about significant developments. Engaging directly with their target audience is another effective method for showcasing a company’s transparency and openness.

Each company may adopt unique strategies based on their specific objectives and comfort with public disclosure. Navigating transparency can be a challenging path, as not every business is immediately prepared for it. Typically, it requires upper management to gradually adapt and develop the right mindset, which can take time. However, these steps are crucial for the industry’s progression and development.

A transparent future is a trustworthy future

In the ever-changing landscape of cryptocurrency, fostering greater openness and educating the general public becomes increasingly important for the credibility of the industry and its widespread acceptance among the masses. Establishing guidelines and limitations will be essential to safeguard consumers’ interests and gain broader public approval.

Over time, through a blend of clear, effective communication and strong partnerships with regulators, the cryptocurrency sector has the potential to become more powerful and captivate the attention of people worldwide.

This article was co-authored by Su Carpenter and Valentina Drofa.

Su Carpenter & Valentina Drofa

Su Carpenter serves as the head of CryptoUK, a self-regulatory organization representing the digital assets industry within the United Kingdom. With a diverse professional background in marketing, communications, community initiatives, and event planning that spans traditional finance, innovative banks, fintech, and cryptocurrency, Su brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her expertise ranges from high-level strategy for large corporations to launching programs for fledgling tech companies. Su is deeply passionate about the crypto sector, feeling confident that the UK offers a rich environment for its growth and prosperity.

Valentina Drofa serves as both co-founder and CEO of Drofa Comms, a globally recognized PR agency that primarily caters to the financial and fintech industries. With more than 15 years of experience in the financial market under her belt, she is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader on a global scale. She also holds a PhD in economics and has penned several books aimed at promoting financial literacy.

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2024-09-18 14:14