Bybit CEO Ben Zhou said Bitcoin remains some way from becoming mature “digital gold,” citing volatility that is still too high for traditional financial institutions to treat it as a reliable store of value. He made the comments in a Cointelegraph interview at Paris Blockchain Week on April 15, 2026.
Zhou separated Bitcoin’s long-term role from its current market behavior. In his view, stablecoins are better suited to everyday payments, while Bitcoin continues to develop toward a digital-gold use case.
The distinction highlights two different tracks for crypto adoption. Stablecoins are being positioned for transaction utility, while Bitcoin’s institutional case depends on whether its volatility declines enough to support store-of-value demand.
Frequently asked questions
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Why does Ben Zhou say Bitcoin is not yet mature digital gold?
Zhou points to Bitcoin’s recent volatility, which he says remains too high for traditional financial institutions to treat it as a reliable store of value.
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What role does Zhou see for stablecoins?
Zhou said stablecoins are better suited for everyday payments, giving them a more direct transaction use case than Bitcoin.
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Has Zhou rejected Bitcoin’s long-term digital-gold role?
No. He said Bitcoin’s long-term role as digital gold remains intact, despite its current volatility.
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Where did Ben Zhou discuss Bitcoin’s maturity?
Zhou discussed the issue in a Cointelegraph interview at Paris Blockchain Week on April 15, 2026.
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What are the two crypto adoption paths described by Zhou?
The comments distinguish stablecoins as payment instruments and Bitcoin as a potential long-term store of value.
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