BitGo CEO Mike Belshe asserts that cryptocurrency startups must embrace public listings to gain trust from established financial institutions. Belshe underlined the need of openness and industry regulation during his visit to Consensus Hong Kong 2025 on February 19.
“One of the things you’ll need to do is be a public company in order to address Wall Street,” Belshe said. Citing the collapse of FTX as a warning story, he emphasized earlier efforts by Wall Street companies to interact with private cryptocurrency enterprises. The collapse of such companies emphasizes the need for proper attention and regulatory compliance.
Belshe also pointed out that Wall Street companies now understand the need for supervision by bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to him, establishing confidence and guaranteeing the long-term stability of the crypto market depend on public disclosure being a basic action.
Although he did not mention a timeframe, Belshe indicated BitGo would think about an initial public offering (IPO) later this year. Bullish CEO Tom Farley joined him on stage to agree with his opinions regarding the advantages of public listings.
“I think a listing on a public, very well-respected market is a great thing because it shows your openness about your finances and gives a lot of confidence,” Farley remarked.
We also discussed the evolving regulatory landscape under the current U.S. government. Belshe cited important pro-crypto appointments at the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as indicators of a changing atmosphere as well as a Republican-owned Congress. He voiced hope that these developments would result in notable legislative progress for the crypto sector.
Belshe thinks crypto companies have a chance to develop credibility and more successfully fit into the conventional financial ecosystem with growing regulatory support and a public listing drive.
