Q&A – Anil Oncu, CEO at Bitpace

How is Bitpace adapting to the recent policy shifts in Washington, and what specific regulatory changes would most help global merchants integrate crypto payments?

The shifts in Washington have signalled a new era for crypto, one rooted in legitimacy and scale. Regulatory advancements in the US mean more institutional participation, which increases trust and adoption worldwide. For Bitpace, these changes validate our global-first strategy and accelerate demand for crypto payment solutions.

Clearer rules on stablecoin issuance, tax treatment, and cross-border transfers would remove barriers that still make crypto integration overly complex. Merchants want predictability, not just in the value of the assets they accept, but in how they’re regulated. Crypto can now offer solutions to long-standing problems like delayed settlements, high remittance costs, and currency conversion risk. We believe continued regulatory evolution is essential to unlocking crypto’s full potential.

In your view, what are the key components of a successful government crypto plan, and how might they unlock frictionless cross-border payments?

A government crypto strategy should treat digital assets as part of the financial future, not as speculative outliers. That means establishing a clear regulatory framework, supporting interoperability between digital and traditional systems, and ensuring robust AML and consumer protections. Above all, it means recognising crypto as infrastructure rather than an investment vehicle.

When governments take that approach, they lay the groundwork for frictionless global commerce. Cross-border payments today are slow and expensive. Crypto removes many of those inefficiencies, but only if it’s given room to integrate with legacy financial systems. A stablecoin issued under a transparent, regulated framework can become the default for international business. Government support here means enabling faster, cheaper, more reliable transactions on a global scale.

Stablecoins are poised to dominate crypto transactions. What features make them a safe store of value for businesses during market volatility?

Stablecoins are one of the most practical tools for businesses operating in volatile markets. Because they’re pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar or euro, stablecoins can avoid the dramatic price swings that define much of the crypto space. That makes them particularly useful for storing value during economic turbulence or political uncertainty, especially for businesses in emerging markets or restricted banking environments

They also bridge the gap between DeFi and TradFi, allowing businesses to hold, send, or receive payments with near-instant settlement and no need for intermediaries. For firms in underbanked regions, stablecoins offer a reliable alternative to fragile local currencies and inaccessible banking infrastructure. And because they’re blockchain-based, they retain the benefits of transparency, programmability, and traceability, which are critical features for global commerce.

How is Bitpace positioning itself to support stablecoin settlements alongside major fiat and crypto currencies?

At Bitpace, we’re building a payment gateway that seamlessly connects fiat, crypto, and stablecoins under one roof. Stablecoins play a crucial role in that ecosystem. They offer the stability that many businesses demand, especially during periods of heightened volatility in markets.

We support a wide range of stablecoins and have optimised our platform to allow fast, low-cost settlement in these assets. Whether you’re an enterprise client settling invoices in USDC or a retailer accepting euro-backed stablecoins, we give you the flexibility to operate in your preferred currency. Just as importantly, our compliance and audit processes align with emerging global standards. We see stablecoins as a bridge to a more inclusive and efficient global payments system. While challenges remain, we are solving them with modularity and automation.

MiCA promises a harmonized EU crypto framework. What opportunities and ambiguities do you see for payment gateways under its guidelines?

MiCA is a landmark for our industry, giving crypto service providers a unified regulatory framework across the EU, the first of its kind. For payment gateways like Bitpace, it creates a level playing field and opens the door to larger, more regulated clients who previously stayed clear of crypto.

The big opportunity lies in stablecoins. With MiCA requiring full fiat backing and licensed issuance, businesses can adopt the use of stablecoins with trust and confidence. It also enables us to bring regulated crypto payment solutions to sectors like banking, real estate, and cross-border B2B.

That said, there are still grey areas, particularly around the classification of utility tokens, licensing requirements for non-custodial platforms, and cross-border equivalency with non-EU jurisdictions. These ambiguities will need refinement, but MiCA is a good starting point.

How should businesses navigate MiCA’s vague areas when planning a crypto integration?

While MiCA brings some much-needed clarity to the crypto space, it’s not yet a complete playbook, especially for businesses looking to integrate digital assets into their operations. The key is to approach integration with a compliance-first mindset. Work with regulated partners, stay up-to-date on national interpretations of MiCA, and anticipate future guidance, particularly around consumer protections and environmental disclosures.

Like all regulations, MiCA is evolving. Businesses should stay agile and well-advised.

Bitcoin’s latest rally has been fuelled by institutional endorsements. How is this renewed confidence translating into demand for crypto payment solutions?

As institutional players double down on Bitcoin and other digital assets, merchant sentiment shifts dramatically. We’re seeing a clear ripple effect. Confidence drives adoption, and adoption drives infrastructure demand. Bitpace is right at that intersection.

Businesses now see crypto as a necessary part of their payment stack. We’ve seen rising demand from sectors like e-commerce, logistics, and real estate, especially from companies seeking faster settlement, global reach, and cost efficiency.

The fact that large financial institutions are backing Bitcoin gives it a new level of credibility. It sends a message that crypto is not just an asset, but a means of doing business. That shift is where Bitpace comes in: converting confidence into practical, secure, and compliant payment solutions.

What technical and operational challenges arise when settling in 70+ crypto and 20+ fiat currencies, and how does Bitpace solve them?

Managing multi-currency settlement at scale is a serious challenge. Each crypto network has its own protocol, and each fiat currency has its own banking infrastructure. On top of that, compliance, volatility, and liquidity management all add layers of complexity.

Bitpace addresses these challenges through automation, modularity, and a compliance-first design. We abstract the technical friction away from the user, providing seamless settlement across 70+ crypto and 20+ fiat currencies. Whether you’re accepting Bitcoin, paying in euros, or settling in USDC, our system handles the conversion, reconciliation, and reporting in the background.

We also optimise for low-bandwidth and mobile-first environments, so our solutions work in regions with limited infrastructure. Our mission is to make global digital finance accessible and simple.

For e-commerce and real-estate clients, what are the most compelling use-cases you’re seeing for accepting crypto via Bitpace?

For e-commerce, the biggest value lies in speed, lower fees, and global accessibility. Crypto can eliminate many of the frictions associated with cross-border card payments: chargebacks, delays, and high processing costs. With Bitpace, retailers can accept over 70 crypto assets with instant settlement and fiat conversion, helping them reach new customer segments and markets.

Tokenisation is starting to transform real estate. By accepting crypto payments and facilitating fractional ownership through tokenised assets, property developers and investors are opening up access to a much broader demographic. Rules for tokenised assets are still changing and vary by country, and while interest is growing, this can slow adoption. Helping investors and businesses understand how tokenisation works is key to its growth.

Whether it’s facilitating international transactions or enabling peer-to-peer real estate investment, crypto can remove some traditional hurdles like currency controls, bank delays, or regulatory incompatibility.

Looking ahead, which emerging crypto payment trends do you believe will reshape the finance function next?

The line between traditional finance and crypto is disappearing fast. We’re heading toward a future where crypto is an embedded part of financial transactions. Expect to see programmable money, real-time treasury management with stablecoins, and DeFi integrations that allow businesses to earn yield on idle balances.

Another key trend is financial sovereignty. With geopolitical instability and currency devaluation in many parts of the world, businesses in emerging markets or restricted banking environments are looking for tools that give them more control over their capital in volatile markets. Crypto and stablecoins can offer that.

At Bitpace, we’re building for that future, enabling seamless integrations with global businesses and payment processors. As crypto matures, global finance will become more automated, borderless, and intelligent.