In a recent email newsletter shared with crypto.news, Paul Veradittakit, managing partner at Pantera Capital, highlighted eight key trends that are expected to drive innovation in the crypto industry in 2025. These trends range from the surge of real-world assets on-chain to the emergence of Bitcoin-Fi and the comeback of NFTs in various industries.
Real-world assets (RWAs) such as private credit, Treasury bills, and commodities are gaining momentum in the crypto space. In 2024, RWAs reached a value of $13.7 billion, with projections indicating that they could make up 30% of the total on-chain value locked in 2025. Platforms like Figure have added $4 billion in assets through private credit, while T-bills are becoming increasingly attractive for generating yield. There is also potential for more complex financial products like stocks and bonds to be introduced on-chain.
Bitcoin-Fi, driven by protocols like Babylon, is expected to gain momentum in 2025. These protocols do not require bridging and offer high returns, leading to 1% of all Bitcoins participating in Bitcoin-Fi. This shift could mark a change in the crypto landscape, with Bitcoin establishing itself as a core network for financial innovations.
Gateways like PayPal, Venmo, WhatsApp, and TON are becoming key entry points for crypto users, making it easier for them to access cryptocurrencies without being tied to specific protocols. Fintech platforms are increasingly integrating crypto services, with Venmo allowing crypto purchases through MetaMask and WhatsApp enabling money transfers via stablecoins. This trend could potentially position fintechs as competitors to smaller centralized exchanges.
Uniswap’s upcoming network, Unichain, is expected to lead layer-2 transactions in the crypto space. With Uniswap already accounting for a significant share of activity on existing layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum, Unichain could surpass other layer-2 networks in transaction volume if it captures even half of Uniswap’s volume.
NFTs are set to make a comeback in 2025, expanding beyond collectibles to be used in gaming, artificial intelligence, identity verification, and consumer apps. NFTs offer flexibility in representing and valuing assets, leading to potential growth in monetary and speculative terms. Restaking protocols like EigenLayer and Karak are also preparing to launch their mainnets in 2025, offering new opportunities for staking across multiple networks.
A new cryptographic approach called zkTLS is emerging, allowing websites to validate and share data on-chain without compromising sensitive information. This technology could revolutionize how information is verified and processed across blockchain networks, particularly for oracles and data services.
The regulatory landscape in the U.S. appears to be shifting in favor of crypto, with President-elect Trump announcing plans to create a legal framework for cryptocurrencies. The industry hopes for reduced lawsuits, clearer regulations, and simplified tax considerations under this new regulatory environment.
Overall, 2025 is expected to be a pivotal year for crypto, with these trends accelerating the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream finance and technology. As Paul Veradittakit puts it, the future of crypto is bright, with these key trends shaping the industry in the years to come.