At Solana Breakpoint in Abu Dhabi, conversations around institutional crypto adoption took center stage. FintechTV contributor Rachel Pether sat down with Jason Atkins, Chief Commercial Officer of Auros, to discuss why liquidity remains one of the most critical challenges facing the digital asset market and how growing institutional interest is reshaping the ecosystem.
Atkins opened the discussion by underscoring the foundational role liquidity plays in crypto markets. Over the past two years, institutional interest has accelerated, highlighted by the approval of multiple cryptocurrency ETFs. While retail investors have long participated in digital assets, Atkins emphasized that the next phase of adoption depends on onboarding institutions such as sovereign wealth funds and real money asset managers. These investors operate with longer time horizons and significantly lower tolerance for volatility, making deep and consistent liquidity essential.
Institutional investors, Atkins explained, approach crypto differently from retail traders. Volatility remains a key concern, and insufficient liquidity can amplify price swings. Without strong liquidity infrastructure, large capital allocators are less willing to commit meaningful exposure. Addressing this imbalance is central to enabling broader institutional participation and market stability.
The conversation also touched on the significance of Abu Dhabi as the setting for Solana Breakpoint. Atkins noted that the region reflects a growing commitment by the Solana Foundation to expand institutional adoption in the Middle East. He described Solana as more than a blockchain network, characterizing it as a high performance environment designed for scale, low transaction fees, and efficiency. These attributes reduce friction for institutional participants and support a more balanced market structure.
Atkins and Pether explored how high throughput blockchains could reshape payment infrastructure. The ability to process large volumes of transactions quickly and affordably opens the door for crypto based payments to integrate with existing systems such as Visa and Mastercard. For real world applications to succeed, blockchain networks must deliver speed, reliability, and cost efficiency, positioning platforms like Solana as key enablers.
Beyond liquidity, Atkins addressed other barriers to institutional adoption, particularly regulatory uncertainty. The crypto industry remains early in its development, with regulatory frameworks continuing to evolve across jurisdictions. As major financial institutions such as BlackRock and JP Morgan explore crypto products, clearer regulatory pathways are expected to emerge. Greater clarity could lower entry barriers for institutions and accelerate mainstream adoption.
Geographic expansion was another focal point of the discussion. Atkins expressed optimism about growth in Asia, pointing to Hong Kong’s emergence as a potential crypto hub. With stablecoin legislation advancing, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a bridge between Eastern and Western capital markets. Regulatory progress in the region could unlock participation from institutions that have remained on the sidelines.
Auros is positioning itself to support this institutional shift through liquidity provisioning, market making, and OTC services. Atkins emphasized the importance of local presence in key markets, noting that proximity allows Auros to respond quickly to client needs while navigating regulatory and market developments.
The conversation highlighted the broader transformation underway in digital assets. Crypto is increasingly moving beyond speculation toward real world use cases, driven by institutional capital, improved infrastructure, and evolving regulation. Understanding the relationship between liquidity, regulation, and adoption will define the next stage of growth.
As institutional participation deepens, companies like Auros are playing a central role in building the foundations for a more resilient and accessible crypto market. The path toward mainstream adoption is becoming clearer, supported by innovation, capital alignment, and a growing focus on sustainable and impactful financial systems.