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Behind these impressive figures, a reality is emerging: cryptos are no longer the prerogative of a handful of insiders. They attract an increasingly wide audience, including in Belgium, where a generation is looking for solutions to protect its purchasing power in the face of galloping inflation. But is investing in cryptos a necessity or an illusion? To talk about it, we met Fom Ly, founder of the Cryptobel association, the only European associative collective in terms of education and awareness of these technologies.
Is it a necessity to invest in cryptocurrencies for middle-income Belgians today?
To invest or not to invest? This is a question that worries many Belgians. For Fom Ly, the movement is already underway here. We all have a friend or loved one who has one foot in it. The newspaper L’Echo also revealed that one in ten Belgians has already put their money there. Our country is in the top 10 in Europe in terms of adoption. But for the founder of Cryptobel, it is crucial to accompany this popularity with better education.
“Cryptoes are not an obligation, but they are intruding into our lives at a rapid pace. We must prepare for it,” he explains. The association he heads has set itself the mission of helping citizens navigate this complex world. And with good reason: if young people see cryptocurrencies as a way to counter inflation and free themselves from banks, many remain vulnerable to the pitfalls of a market that is as fascinating as it is risky. To help these newbies, Cryptobel is working on publishing a practical 82-page guide, a real compass in this digital world.
But then itHow to get started without burning your wings?
“Crypto can be very risky. The more risks you take, the greater your gains can be, of course, but you can also lose everything more easily,” says Fom Ly pragmatically. He strongly advises against rushing headlong into projects that promise astronomical returns, like XRP, which recently made a spectacular jump. “You don’t invest in a crypto just because it has just multiplied its value by five. It’s the best way to lose your money.”he warns.
So where to start? His answer is simple: Bitcoin. “For a beginner, it is the safest and most proven asset,” he explains. His preferred method: invest a small amount each month. 50€ for example. “It’s an approach that helps smooth out risks and avoid panicking over price variations.” He also emphasizes the importance of clearly differentiating between speculation and long-term investment: “If you’re looking to make quick hits, you’re playing with fire. But if you think long term, cryptos can really be a tool to secure your savings.” By opting for regular investments as a “good father”, you protect yourself from the inevitable fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin.” Because as Fom Ly tells us: “The creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, coded it so that there would be an upward phase lasting 2 years followed by a phase of slight decline or normalization with small fluctuations.”
-For our expert, Bitcoin with its so-called “safe haven” value stands out from Altcoins like XRP which are purely speculative. It also stands out for its transparency. As Fom Ly points out, “with Bitcoin, everything is written in the code.” This technology is based on a blockchain, a public and decentralized register where each transaction is visible to everyone. Unlike traditional banking systems, where operations are often opaque. “The strength of Bitcoin is that it is impossible to manipulate or falsify. No one has succeeded in hacking it since its creation, and it is its transparency that protects it.”
Is the Belgian system ready for cryptocurrencies?
On this point, Fom Ly is blunt: “We’re late.“It points to the lack of regulatory frameworks and public initiatives to support the sector.”Belgian start-ups are struggling to survive due to lack of a suitable environment. And meanwhile, our neighbors are moving forward.”
But he doesn’t just criticize. Through Cryptobel, it attempts to overcome these shortcomings. The association organizes public meetings, runs a Telegram group and is considering developing a training offer. “We are trying to do what the FSMA (the financial markets authority in Belgium) does not do: inform and protect citizens. We are a bit like the “crypto SOS »“.
Cryptobel scam prevention number: 02 315 18 26
Prevention information available on their website: cryptobel.be
