Jérôme Prigent talks Tokenisation, Germany’s institutional momentum & why BCB showed up at CONF3RENCE

We sat down with Jérôme Prigent, Managing Director of BCB Europe, following his recent visit to CONF3RENCE in Dortmund, Germany. As one of BCB Group’s first engagements in the DACH region, the event marked a key milestone in our ongoing mission to expand our institutional presence across Europe.

Why CONF3RENCE?

“This was the first time BCB attended an event in the DACH region,” Jérôme explains. 

“Germany is a key market for us, and CONF3RENCE gave us a way to meet partners, clients, and providers we usually don’t see at the larger, glossier events.”

BCB Group has historically focused its event strategy on major global forums such as Token2049 and Money20/20, but Jérôme saw an opportunity in the smaller, regionally focused setting of CONF3RENCE.

“Big events are great for brand visibility, but they don’t always attract the kind of institutions we’re working with in Germany and its neighbouring markets. We came here to explore collaboration opportunities, show our face, and most importantly–listen.”

A local feel, global themes

For Jérôme, one of the standout moments came during a keynote tokenisation panel. 

“Tokenisation was everywhere, not as a jargon term, but in serious discussions around practical applications. Germany, in particular, is taking real steps to use blockchain infrastructure for institutional finance.”

He also appreciated the chance to visit Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund. “It was a nice personal touch, not every conference includes a behind-the-scenes stadium tour!”

But the tokenisation theme ran deeper than a panel topic. “In my view, tokenisation represents the next revolution in finance, and even in how we live. From real estate to contracts, vehicles to collectibles, every asset can be digitised and validated on-chain. It’s not potential anymore; it’s a logical next step.”

Regional relationships matter

BCB’s decision to engage more with regional markets isn’t just about sales–it’s about access and alignment. “Sometimes, the best business relationships start in more focused, authentic settings. CONF3RENCE felt embedded in the local ecosystem. The environment was welcoming, with low barriers to entry, which aligns with how we think about market participation at BCB.”

And the impact? “We’ll measure it over time, leads, partnerships and interest, but we also recognise that building trust takes time. That’s why being visible and contributing to local dialogue is key.”

Conversations that matter

Operating across both crypto-native and traditional finance circles, Jérôme finds the most value in exchanges that challenge assumptions.

“I’m not here to hear what I already know. I want to hear new perspectives, especially from institutions in markets like Germany, which may approach things differently than in the UK.”

The theme of regulatory alignment also surfaced repeatedly. “MiCA was on everyone’s radar. It’s clear the industry is moving toward greater structure, and that’s something BCB supports. In fact, we believe Europe needs stronger frameworks around stablecoins, and we’re actively contributing to that conversation.”

Looking ahead

With only four words, Jérôme summarises CONF3RENCE: “Local, accessible, authentic and growing.”

As for what’s next, BCB plans to deepen its engagement across DACH, and continue delivering robust, regulated infrastructure to power the next phase of institutional digital asset adoption.

“There’s a huge appetite for stable, secure, crypto-fiat infrastructure,” Jérôme says. “We’re here to provide it, whether you’re in Dortmund, London, or beyond.”