Timing.com CEO on Regulated Exchanges, 2021 Crypto Predictions & The Future of Tokenized Assets

Like many professionals, my entry into cryptocurrency was gradual. In my previous companies, we consistently explored the value of creating cross-platform assets, and blockchain technology was gaining significant attention as an immutable ledger system.

When I joined Timing.com, I quickly became more hands-on with crypto derivatives and tokenized assets. While I always knew these would be vital to our future economy, the speed of their relevance and popularity among certain investor classes has been astonishing. We are integrating cryptocurrency into our lives at an incredible pace.

We identified a clear need for a more robust platform capable of handling a wide range of crypto-related trades. A key reason for our extensive list of asset pairs and liquidity is our foresight into market needs, not just for today, but for the near future. For that reason, we have tokenized thousands of global markets. The results so far have been thrilling to witness. 

We have multiple offices, but our headquarters is in Switzerland for a couple of key reasons. First, the Swiss government has been proactive in establishing clear, helpful regulations for cryptocurrency. This is not the case globally; some countries have vague or inconsistent policies that don't benefit private enterprise. We need to know the rules and operate within that supportive framework. Second, there's an iconic advantage to being centrally located in Switzerland—a neutral hub. If we were headquartered in the US, our global reach would be limited as the North American market can sometimes be isolated from others.

Certainly, the implementation of smart contracts to create a seamless trading experience is a major one. Users can deposit crypto and acquire ERC20 tokens that directly represent any one of thousands of mainstream global markets. It's a unique and inspiring project to work on.

I also believe our early licensing and regulatory compliance are central to our success. Other milestones include launching our various fiat-to-crypto on-ramps with a streamlined KYC process and developing what might be the most user-friendly app in the sector.

That's becoming increasingly clear as we see other exchanges facing regulatory trouble. It’s damaging for the entire industry when platforms chase quick profits at the expense of building a vision for a fully regulated and licensed cryptocurrency ecosystem. 

This commitment to safety and straightforward regulation is the core reason serious traders move to Timing.com. We are a safe haven. Our focus is on maintaining order, protecting our clients, and working hard to offer cutting-edge products safely and effectively.

Some of our most critical projects are still under wraps, but in general, I’m excited about upcoming improvements related to how new markets open up over the next year. We've recently added tokenized stocks from Russian and European markets and are moving forward with plans for on-chain government bonds with major local companies.

There’s a huge wishlist of features to get through.

Timing.com is fully regulated and compliant with the laws and standards in every country we operate in. If a local regulator doesn't offer clear guidance, we are hesitant to enter that market. We're growing too fast to risk getting shut down.

The downside of regulation is that some large traders wish to remain anonymous, which influences the design of some trading tools. For example, many CCXT trading bots are designed for easy plug-and-play with exchanges that don’t require KYC accounts.

Not to sound like a broken record, but regulatory hurdles are the biggest challenge. Beyond that, we’ve faced “good” problems, like managing immense growth, localizing the platform and optimizing UX for different countries, and adding instruments and markets that are in high demand. It’s a fast-paced and extremely rewarding environment.

There's general excitement around DeFi. New business models involving oracles for smart contracts are particularly interesting, as that's where real-world connectivity happens.

The mainstream adoption of crypto by companies like PayPal, and leading traditional banks and asset managers, has been thrilling to witness.

I'll offer three predictions: Bitcoin reaching $30,000; the adoption of smart contracts by one or two major infrastructure projects funded by Western governments; and the launch of the first national stock exchange on a blockchain.

Right now, I’d say it's simply risk appetite. When considering a major investment, people tend to revert to what they know. If you're a well-paid executive in your 50s, are you going to rely on your experience or take a chance on something new? We need more pioneers within established sectors to champion this change.

I believe that the concentration of Bitcoin's market cap among a few ultra-wealthy “hodlers” could become a sticking point as institutional money managers consider whether to allocate funds.

I’d like to think we'll see a major transfer of wealth from tech, finance, and retail giants to new, emerging businesses in the coming years. Unlike past shifts, it’s not that they will fail to adapt; it's more likely they’ll simply be blindsided. I just hope the new companies don't sell out too early.