Young Platform: education and crypto

Young Platform is one of the most well-known and appreciated native Italian crypto exchanges in the European landscape. Founded with a strong educational and technological focus, today the project led by Andrea Ferrero is evolving towards a broader model of innovative financial services, with the aim of making blockchain invisible to the end user, yet central to the functioning of the services.

In this exclusive interview for Cryptonomist, Andrea Ferrero discusses the inception of Young Platform, the role of financial education, the impact of the MiCA regulation, and his vision for the future of crypto adoption in Europe.

Who is Andrea Ferrero and how Young Platform was founded

Andrea Ferrero is one of the founders of Young Platform and currently serves as its CEO. The project originated in Alba, Piedmont, from a group of six founders with a strong technical and IT background. The idea took shape during their first year of university when the team decided to focus on the crypto sector, convinced it would become one of the pillars of financial innovation in the following decade.

A decision that, in hindsight, proved to be farsighted. Despite recent attention having partially shifted towards artificial intelligence, the crypto sector remains one of those that has attracted the most capital, talent, and global attention.

The presence of four technical founders has enabled Young Platform to internally develop various products: from the basic exchange to the Pro exchange, up to the recent launch of the payment account and, soon, the debit card. A rare competitive advantage in the Italian startup landscape.

Financial Education: Essential but Not Sufficient

From the outset, Young Platform has heavily focused on education. But how much does it really matter today, in a more mature market?

According to Ferrero, financial education remains crucial, especially in countries like Italy, which historically ranks low in global financial literacy standings. However, there is a paradox: more information does not automatically lead to better decisions.

“We are overwhelmed by information, but this often still leads to wrong decisions.”

From an operational standpoint, what truly makes a difference are not sophisticated strategies, but simple practices: not checking the price every day, not constantly altering the portfolio, having patience. Basic rules that few manage to apply consistently.

Italy and the Challenges of Adopting Crypto Innovation

The data confirms that Italy is one of the least active markets in the crypto sector globally. According to Ferrero, the reasons are not only educational but also cultural and structural.

Paradoxically, many on-chain DeFi services are primarily used in emerging countries, where the population is more inclined to adopt innovative technologies out of necessity. In Europe, and particularly in Italy, the change is slower, partly due to a lack of familiarity with basic digital tools.

To this is added another key factor: the media and institutional fear-mongering that for years has portrayed crypto as scams or fraudulent schemes, undermining the trust of the general public.

MiCA: what really changes for Young Platform and the European market

With the implementation of the MiCA regulation, the European crypto sector enters a new phase. According to Ferrero, the impact is clear:

• Higher entry barriers for small operators
• Exit from the market of those who have not seriously invested in compliance
• Greater protection for the end user

MiCA is neither a brake nor a direct accelerator of innovation, but a framework that allows for the construction of more robust products, reducing systemic risks such as liquidity crises or opaque practices.

From the user’s perspective, this could translate into greater trust and thus an acceleration in adoption.

The True Competitive Advantage of Young Platform

According to the CEO, Young Platform’s strength today lies in the diversification of its value proposition. The goal is no longer to be just a crypto exchange, but to position itself at the intersection of:

• Challenger bank
  
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
  

The payment account, the upcoming debit card, and the integration of a wallet (scheduled for 2026) represent the pillars of this strategy. An approach aimed at innovating finance without forcing regulatory arbitrage, but by sustainably integrating the new with the old.

When will crypto truly become mainstream?

According to Ferrero, there are two possible scenarios:

1. Gradual growth, with an average annual rate around 20%
2. Disruptive events, such as sovereign state crises, which could propel Bitcoin towards a role increasingly similar to that of gold as a reserve asset

In this scenario, Bitcoin might initially experience market shocks, but subsequently attract large capital inflows as a hedge instrument.

The Most Common Mistake for Those Entering the Crypto World Today

The main mistake is thinking you can get rich quickly. The people who have achieved the best results over time are those who have invested consistently, with patience and a long-term vision.

“Those who have accumulated little but consistently are the ones with the most significant portfolios today.”

In a still young sector, less dominated by major institutional players, even small investors can still extract value. A feature increasingly rare in traditional finance.

Advice for Those Looking to Work in the Crypto Sector

The message is clear: study technology.

Understanding how blockchain, AI, data, and digital tools work is essential. It’s not necessary for everyone to be developers, but knowing how to use APIs, no-code tools, automations, and having a data-driven mindset is now a key skill to remain competitive in the job market.