Coinbase, a major US crypto exchange, recently shared its predictions for the top five crypto trends to watch in 2025. Their report paints a picture of a maturing and evolving crypto market.
Stablecoins: The Killer App
Coinbase believes stablecoins are just getting started. They see them as crypto’s “killer app,” moving beyond simple trading to become major players in global finance and commerce. They predict a massive increase in their use for international payments and transactions.
Tokenized Real-World Assets (RWAs): Expanding Horizons
The tokenization of real-world assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate is expected to become a major force in 2025. Coinbase sees this as streamlining financial processes and reducing risk, with wider adoption across various asset classes.
Crypto ETFs: Institutional Focus and Regulatory Changes
Coinbase anticipates continued institutional interest in crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but concentrated in a few key players. They also expect regulatory changes, possibly allowing ETFs to incorporate staking and in-kind redemptions.
DeFi’s Resurgence: A New Era
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is predicted to experience a comeback, building a more robust and sustainable ecosystem. Coinbase points to increasing lending activity and decentralized exchange (DEX) trading volume as signs of this resurgence.
Regulatory Landscape: A Positive Shift
Coinbase expects significant regulatory changes in 2025, particularly in the US, with the potential for a clearer regulatory framework, improved stablecoin legislation, and a move away from enforcement-based regulation. They also anticipate similar positive regulatory developments globally.
