Bitcoin.com News Interviews
Michael Amar founded Paris Blockchain Week in 2019 because U.S. and Asian investors told him Paris had no crypto ecosystem. This year, 250 banks showed up.
At PBW 2026, he sits with David Sencil to put real numbers behind the institutional adoption story, explain why MiCA enforcement is filtering who can attend European events, and predict where the next year's crypto M&A will land.
We cover:
- The 15-to-250 banks curve, year over year
- PBW's "Paris is good for food and vacation, but for crypto, no" origin
- MiCA enforcement filtering European events in real time
- Why next year is the crypto M&A year
- France's strengths and gaps for crypto founders
Chapters:
00:17 - Welcome to Bitcoin.com News Live Desk
00:36 - Michael Amar's Background
01:14 - Early Involvement in Digital Assets
02:23 - Launching Paris Blockchain Week
03:21 - Success and Challenges of the Conference
04:18 - Institutional Adoption and Growth
05:01 - Institutional Presence at the Conference
06:18 - European Regulations and Compliance
07:32 - Market Share and Competition
08:46 - Future of Crypto in Paris and Europe
09:33 - France's Role in Web3 and Crypto
10:34 - French Regulations and Innovations
11:11 - International Perspective on French Ecosystem
12:20 - Venue and Logistics of the Conference
13:34 - VIP Dinner at Versailles
14:48 - Planning and Execution of the Conference
15:42 - Importance of Quality and Logistics
16:57 - Support for French Entrepreneurs
19:38 - Safety and Perception Issues
21:43 - Key Elements for a Successful Conference
23:00 - Networking and Business Opportunities
24:11 - The Importance of Real-Life Engagements
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