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Credit Suisse CEO: Bitcoin the 'Very Definition of a Bubble'

Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam has said that bitcoin is in a bubble, and interest in the cryptocurrency will soon wane.

Updated Sep 13, 2021, 7:07 a.m. Published Nov 2, 2017, 4:35 p.m.
tidjane thiam

You can count Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam among those who think bitcoin is in a bubble.

At a press conference today, the New York Times reports, the bank chief called bitcoin's anonymity a "challenge," before going on to say:

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"From what we can identify, the only reason today to buy or sell bitcoin is to make money, which is the very definition of speculation and the very definition of a bubble."

Criminal use of bitcoin is also a factor that goes against the cryptocurrency, he went on, arguing that banks "have little or no appetite to get involved in a currency which has such anti-money laundering challenges."

Thiam joins a growing list of financial industry names who have come out against the digital currency. Last week, billionaire investor Warren Buffett was the most recent to say bitcoin was in a bubble. He echoed Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, who expressed the same sentiment to CNBC in September.

At the time, Dalio noted that the speculation and volatility around bitcoin prevented it, in his eyes, from being an effective store of wealth.

While all over the news currently with its meteoric price gains, Thiam added that he expects interest in bitcoin to subside.

Tidjane Thiam image via Credit Suisse/Flickr

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

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KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

  • KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
  • This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
  • Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
  • Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
  • Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.

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Here’s why bitcoin’s is failing its role as a 'safe haven' versus gold

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Bitcoin behaves more like an "ATM" during uncertain times, with investors quickly selling it to raise cash.

What to know:

  • During recent geopolitical tensions, Bitcoin lost 6.6% of its value, while gold rose 8.6%, demonstrating bitcoin's vulnerability in times of market stress.
  • Bitcoin behaves more like an "ATM" during uncertain times, with investors quickly selling it to raise cash, contrary to its reputation as a stable digital asset.
  • Gold remains the preferred hedge for short-term risks, while bitcoin is better suited for long-term monetary and geopolitical uncertainties that unfold over years.