7 Big Things That Could Happen in Crypto Next Year

Collectively, these milestones solidify 2024 as the year the crypto industry proves itself to be an unstoppable force on the global stage.

This article provides seven predictions for the cryptocurrency industry in 2025, based on key developments and trends observed in 2024. These predictions cover various aspects of the crypto ecosystem, including regulatory changes, technological advancements, and the performance of major cryptocurrencies.

1. A major country in the G7 or BRICS will establish and announce a strategic Bitcoin reserve

The Trump administration's proposal to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) for the U.S. has sparked much debate and speculation. While adding Bitcoin to the U.S. Treasury's balance sheet would require considerable political will and congressional approval, the mere fact of proposing the initiative has far-reaching implications.

By signaling the possibility of an SBR, the United States is effectively inviting other major countries to consider similar initiatives. Game theory suggests that these countries may be incentivized to take preemptive action, potentially securing a strategic advantage in diversifying their national reserves before the United States does. Bitcoin’s limited supply and its emerging role as a digital store of value may heighten the urgency for countries to act quickly.

Now, a "who is the first" race is underway to see which major country will be the first to include Bitcoin in its national reserves, holding Bitcoin like gold, foreign exchange and government bonds, and diversifying its asset allocation. This move will not only consolidate Bitcoin's position as a global reserve asset, but may also reshape the international financial landscape and have a profound impact on the economic and geopolitical power structure. The establishment of strategic Bitcoin reserves by any major economy may mark the beginning of a new era of sovereign wealth management.

2. Stablecoins will continue to grow, doubling to over $400 billion

Stablecoins have become one of the most successful mainstream use cases for cryptocurrencies, building a bridge between the traditional financial and cryptocurrency ecosystems. Millions of people around the world use stablecoins for remittances, daily transactions, and to hedge against local currency fluctuations by leveraging the relative stability of the U.S. dollar.

Stablecoins in circulation reach an all-time high of $200 billion in 2024, with market leaders Tether and Circle. These digital currencies rely on blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Tron to facilitate seamless, borderless transactions.

Looking ahead, stablecoin growth is expected to accelerate by 2025, potentially doubling to over $400 billion. This growth will be fueled by the passage of stablecoin-specific legislation, which could provide much-needed regulatory clarity and foster innovation in the industry. U.S. regulators are increasingly recognizing the strategic importance of stablecoins in strengthening the U.S. dollar’s global dominance and cementing its status as the world’s reserve currency.

3. Bitcoin DeFi supported by L2 will become a major growth trend

Bitcoin is moving beyond its role as a store of value, with Layer 2 (L2) networks such as Stacks, BOB, Babylon, CoreDAO, etc. unlocking the potential of a thriving Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. These L2s enhance Bitcoin’s scalability and programmability, enabling decentralized finance (DeFi) applications to flourish on the most secure and decentralized blockchain.

2024 is a year of transformation for Stacks, with the launch of the Nakamoto upgrade and sBTC. The Nakamoto upgrade allows Stacks to inherit 100% Bitcoin certainty and introduces faster block speeds, significantly improving the user experience. At the same time, the trustless Bitcoin-pegged asset sBTC launched in December enables seamless participation in DeFi activities such as lending, swapping, and staking - all based on the security of Bitcoin.

Previously, Bitcoin holders seeking DeFi opportunities were forced to move their Bitcoin to other networks such as Ethereum. This process relied on centralized custodians such as WBTC (BitGo), BTCB (Binance), and cbBTC (Coinbase), exposing users to centralization and censorship risks. Bitcoin L2 reduces these risks and provides a more decentralized alternative that allows Bitcoin to run natively in its own ecosystem.

Looking ahead to 2025, Bitcoin DeFi will grow exponentially. I predict that the total value locked (TVL) on Bitcoin L2 will exceed the $24 billion currently represented by wrapped Bitcoin derivatives, which is about 1.2% of the total Bitcoin supply. As Bitcoin's market cap reaches $2 trillion, the L2 network will enable users to unlock this huge potential value more securely and efficiently, solidifying Bitcoin's position as the cornerstone of decentralized finance.

4. Bitcoin ETFs will continue to proliferate, and new cryptocurrency-focused ETFs will emerge

The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs marks a historic milestone, becoming the most successful ETF debut in history. These ETFs attracted more than $108 billion in assets under management (AUM) in their first year, demonstrating unparalleled demand from retail and institutional investors. Major players such as BlackRock, Fidelity, and Ark Invest have played a key role in bringing regulated