European Regulators Labels Bitcoin As Costly & Inconvenient Despite ETF Approval

The ECB doubts Bitcoin's prospects despite U.S. BTC ETF approval, citing fundamental flaws and skepticism toward its mainstream adoption.
By Rupam Roy
Updated May 26, 2025
European Central Bank Bitcoin

Highlights

  • European regulators cast skepticism on Bitcoin despite recent US ETF approvals.
  • ECB highlights Bitcoin's challenges: high costs, slow transactions, and limited utility.
  • Bitcoin's resurgence in value raises concerns amid regulatory and structural challenges.

European regulators have once again thrown shade on Bitcoin, despite the recent approval of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States. The European Central Bank (ECB) has reiterated its stance, emphasizing the shortcomings of Bitcoin as a digital currency and investment.

Meanwhile, this comes as a blow to enthusiasts who hoped for a significant shift in perception with the ETF green light. However, let’s delve into why European regulators remain skeptical about Bitcoin’s prospects despite the recent developments.

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European Regulators Highlights Bitcoin Challenges

European regulators have once again cast doubt on Bitcoin’s viability as a global currency and investment avenue, despite recent positive developments in the United States. The European Central Bank (ECB) highlighted Bitcoin’s failure to achieve decentralization and its susceptibility to fraud and manipulation. According to the ECB’s blog post, Bitcoin remains burdened by high costs, sluggish transaction speeds, and limited utility for legitimate transfers.

Meanwhile, the ECB’s skepticism extends to the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While some hailed this as a watershed moment for Bitcoin, European regulators remain unconvinced.

In other words, the ECB blog dismisses the ETF approval as akin to “The Naked Emperor’s New Clothes,” suggesting that Bitcoin’s fundamental flaws persist regardless of regulatory nods.

In addition, despite being granted legal tender status in El Salvador and receiving government backing, BTC’s adoption as a mainstream means of payment remains elusive. The ECB notes that outside criminal activities on the darknet, Bitcoin transactions for legitimate purposes are rare. Even efforts to incentivize its use, such as offering free BTC to citizens, have failed to ignite widespread adoption, the report added.

Also Read: Bitcoin ETFs Shocks Crypto Market With $88M Outflow, What’s Next?

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Structural Challenges and Market Realities

ECB said that Bitcoin’s resurgence in value since late 2022 has raised eyebrows, with prices surging despite ongoing concerns. Notably, the recent rally has been attributed to factors like anticipated changes in US Federal Reserve interest rates and the upcoming Bitcoin halving.

However, European regulators caution against reading too much into short-term market movements. While BTC’s current rally may be fueled by temporary factors, underlying structural issues persist, the blog showed.

In addition, the ECB emphasized that price manipulation, criminal utilization, and regulatory misjudgments continue to plague the cryptocurrency landscape. Despite efforts to regulate the industry, challenges remain in curbing illicit activities and mitigating environmental impact.

European regulators’ skepticism towards Bitcoin underscores the enduring challenges facing the cryptocurrency. As per ECB, despite recent regulatory approvals and market rallies, fundamental flaws persist, casting doubt on BTC’s long-term sustainability and mainstream adoption.

Also Read: Ethereum Dencun Upgrade- These Six Layer-2 Platforms To Benefit the Most

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Rupam Roy
Rupam is a seasoned professional with three years of experience in the financial market, where he has developed a reputation as a meticulous research analyst and insightful journalist. He thrives on exploring the dynamic nuances of the financial landscape. Currently serving as a sub-editor at Coingape, Rupam's expertise extends beyond conventional boundaries. His role involves breaking stories, analyzing AI-related developments, providing real-time updates on the crypto market, and presenting insightful economic news. Rupam's career is characterized by a deep passion for unraveling the complexities of finance and delivering impactful stories that resonate with a diverse audience.
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