At the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) summit in Riyadh, LCX CEO and founder Monty CM Metzger while speaking to Times Network, delivered a strong message
on the future of digital assets, declaring that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are no longer emerging trends but foundational pillars of the next global financial system. In an exclusive conversation with Times Network, the European fintech entrepreneur said blockchain will serve as the “fundamental layer” of future banking and capital markets. “Crypto won’t replace banks or financial institutions,” Metzger explained. “But it will make them more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.” Metzger emphasized that cryptocurrency adoption has already crossed a major global threshold. With over 500 million active crypto wallets worldwide, he said digital assets have moved far beyond speculative interest. “When a technology crosses 100 million users, it never disappears,” he noted. “With half a billion people already using crypto, we’ll likely reach one billion users by next year.” Highlighting discussions at FII9, Metzger said Bitcoin and digital assets have dominated not because of market volatility but due to the structural financial transformation they represent. According to him, blockchain is becoming the “digital backbone” of modern finance, replacing decades-old paper-based systems and slow settlement processes. He pointed to rising adoption of stablecoins and digital dollars in emerging economies as a major indicator of global demand. “With the US dollar debasement and growing demand for digital money, stablecoins like Tether and Circle are being adopted across Africa, Latin America, and India,” he said. “Everyone wants access to the digital dollar , it’s the fastest-growing financial instrument today.” Metzger also issued a caution about unchecked monetary policies worldwide. According to him, excessive money printing poses inflation risks and strengthens Bitcoin’s role as a hedge. “Bitcoin is digital gold , a hedge against economic instability,” he said. Looking ahead, Metzger sees tokenization as the next disruptive phase in global markets. LCX is already enabling tokenization of real-world assets, including gold, copper, and crude oil. He explained that tokenized gold on LCX’s platform allows one ounce of physical gold to have a digital representation on-chain, making ownership and transfer instant and borderless. “Global trade is still stuck in outdated systems , settlements sometimes take 30 days. Tokenization can make that process instant and fully traceable,” he said. Despite the rapid progress, Metzger stressed that regulation will be crucial for long-term growth. “We don’t need to fight regulation , we need smart regulation. The balance between regulation and innovation will define the next decade of financial history.” Founded in Liechtenstein, LCX operates as a regulated cryptocurrency exchange and fintech platform, focused on tokenization and institutional-grade blockchain infrastructure. Metzger reiterated that the firm aims to bridge traditional finance and the crypto economy, ensuring compliance while unlocking innovation. “Crypto is here to stay,” he concluded. “This is not a trend , it’s the evolution of the global financial system.” About FII Institute The FII Institute is a global nonprofit foundation with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Through its THINK, XCHANGE, and ACT pillars, the Institute fosters great ideas, empowers innovators, and invests in scalable solutions across critical sectors including AI and robotics, sustainability, healthcare, and education.
