YouHodler Recap of Crypto Valley Conference (CVC) 2025

At YouHodler, we love traditions. The annual Crypto Valley Conference (CVC) in Switzerland is one of our favorites. It's always a key event in the crypto calendar.

At YouHodler, we have a special place in our hearts for traditions. Among the many events that hold a dear memory, the annual Crypto Valley Conference (CVC) in Switzerland is truly one of our favorites. It’s always a key highlight in the crypto calendar.

Once again, we were honored to be present and offer our support to this exceptional event. We’re excited to share our yearly conference recap. First off, a big thank you to the fantastic team behind the CVC — especially Niki Csanyi, the CVA Executive Director, Saskia Verbeek, Event Coordinator at CVA, Giovanni Zaccaria, CVA SM manager, and of course, a shout-out to the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) for hosting.

Unlike many conferences that are focused on profit, the CVA really dedicates itself to bringing value to the entire industry, which now spans far beyond just crypto enthusiasts. YouHodler is proud to be an active member of the Crypto Valley Association. This conference truly feels like our “home” event.

Joining us this year were big names from Kraken, Binance, Franklin Templeton, Google, Bitcoin Suisse, G-20, Cardano Foundation, and many more. This year’s theme was all about maturity. We’ve been speaking about the industry getting mature over the last 3-4 years. Finally, it’s here.

The conference highlighted crypto’s growth and sparked vital conversations about preserving its revolutionary spirit amidst extremely increasing institutional involvement. It also showcased how key players and we are building bridges in this evolving global financial system. We’ll explore these significant shifts and more, starting with how the industry has evolved.

If there’s one clear message from the 2025 Crypto Valley Conference, it’s that the crypto kids have grown up or been replaced by serious institutions. The days of simply wild ideas and small-time speculation are largely behind us. This year's event showcased solid, established businesses, showing how much the blockchain world has matured on a global scale.

We saw clear signs of this maturity everywhere. For example, big news just arrived at the time of the conference. Circle's successful IPO was a huge step, proving that public markets are ready for crypto companies. The SEC chairman's announcements about new USA regulations also point to more clarity and legitimacy for the industry in a major global market.

Beyond regulations, the presence of tech giants like Google, now deeply involved in blockchain, and traditional finance players like Franklin Templeton with their big digital asset funds, big banks like Postfinance, and many others highlights this shift. CVC 2025 wasn't just a conference; it was a strong statement that crypto is now a permanent and important part of the global economy. At YouHodler, we've always believed in this journey towards wider acceptance, seeing the real value blockchain adds to finance.

Even with all this growth, a big question hung over CVC 2025: What about freedom? Crypto started with a hopeful, almost romantic idea of full decentralization and breaking free from old systems. But now, with big tech and big finance stepping in, those core ideas are being tested. Can crypto truly keep its revolutionary spirit? What happens to our freedom when large, centralized groups get involved.

It's not about choosing sides. The discussions at the conference showed the need for a smart balance. How do we keep the best parts of blockchain — like decentralization and self-custody — while benefiting from the stability and reach that larger institutions provide? This balance is incredibly important.

Behind the scenes, there were deep discussions about where the industry is heading. And some big questions were raised publicly from the stage. For instance, the CEO of Cardano, Frederik Gregaard, highlighted concerns about the USA Cloud Act, which allows the U.S. government to access data without even a court order. There were also talks about the US government potentially pushing some blockchains to change their core principles by “rewriting” past blocks.

At YouHodler, we've always taken a realistic, rather than idealistic, view. Over the years, we've consistently worked to find this balance, creating a perfect blend of traditional finance's strengths and crypto's innovation. Our goal is to take the best from both worlds, giving our users strong financial tools that are reliable and secure, yet also offer the efficiency and new opportunities of digital assets.

Another clear trend at CVC 2025 was how crypto-native companies are building services specifically for institutions. Big names like Binance and Kraken were actively showcasing their infrastructure solutions, showing a clear strategic shift towards catering to the needs of traditional financial players.

It's a point of pride for us that YouHodler started offering comprehensive institutional services back in 2022. We saw this need early and began developing solutions before many larger brands. Our commitment to connecting the