Bitpanda is one or the bigger European crypto exchanges based in Vienna. It announced a strategic addition to its leadership team, welcoming Philipp Bohrn as the new Managing Director. Bohrn, a seasoned compliance expert has been previously serving as Vice President of Regulatory Compliance, AML, and Public Affairs. In his prior roles, he was instrumental in overseeing the regulatory frameworks for the Bitpanda Group.
With nearly six years at the helm of Bitpanda‘s regulatory strategies, Bohrn steps into his new role with a wealth of experience and a clear vision. In a recent interview with Trending Topics, he expressed his ambition to act as a conduit between the regulatory bodies and the burgeoning fintech sector. A significant challenge ahead for Bohrn is securing the MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets) license for Bitpanda, which would enable the company to operate across the EU under the new regulatory environment set to be introduced.
The MiCA regulation represents the European Union’s first comprehensive legal framework for crypto-assets, excluding NFTs. It aims to regulate various aspects of the crypto industry, including companies, stablecoins, and mining activities. Bitpanda‘s objective under Bohrn’s leadership is to be among the first major entities to obtain this license, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy within the EU.
Bohrn’s appointment comes at a time when Bitpanda is navigating the complexities of expanding in a heavily regulated environment. He acknowledges the challenges that come with regulation, noting that it often leads to market restrictions. However, the strategic advantage of the MiCA license, particularly its passporting capabilities, cannot be understated. This feature would allow Bitpanda to offer its services across European countries once licensed in Austria by the Financial Market Authority (FMA), potentially facilitating the company’s re-entry into markets like the Netherlands, from which it recently withdrew.
Despite Bohrn’s new role, Bitpanda‘s top leadership structure remains in place, with Eric Demuth and Paul Klanschek continuing as Co-CEOs at the group level, and Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad as Deputy CEO. The group holding company, Bitpanda Group AG, is now strategically positioned in Switzerland, emphasizing the company’s international focus.
Bohrn brings to his new role a deep understanding of financial regulation, honed over eleven years working with the professional association of financial service providers at the Chamber of Commerce.
