HTX, a digital asset exchange, has unveiled its 2025 crypto forecast, reviewing key industry developments in 2024 and outlining future trends to watch for in the coming year. The report, titled “HTX 2024 Global Web3 Blockchain Ecosystem Review and 2025 Outlook,” provides valuable insights into the crypto sector’s progress, with a special focus on the potential impact of Trump’s policies on crypto regulation.
The report identifies five key areas of growth and focus for HTX in 2025:
Bitcoin Ecosystem: Bitcoin’s market dominance strengthened in 2024, solidifying its position as the leading digital asset. The rise of spot ETFs provided liquidity, while companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR) absorbed significant dollar liquidity. As Bitcoin’s ecosystem evolves, capital efficiency and infrastructure support will play a crucial role in sustaining demand growth in the next two years.
Infrastructure: The rapid expansion of Layer 1, Layer 2, and middleware solutions has been driven by a blend of capital and technological advancements. Layer 1 solutions, in particular, have become a central area of focus for technical development and investment, and are expected to remain a key priority for the industry moving forward.
Meme Coins: With the crypto market becoming more favorable, meme coins are positioned as important entry points for retail investors, driving significant capital inflows into the market.
AI Integration: AI agents are expected to evolve into personalized assistants, offering comprehensive services and possibly fostering the development of unique cultures and communities. The deep integration of AI and encryption technology signifies a revolutionary step that neither Web2 nor Web3 can achieve through encryption alone.
TON Ecosystem: The TON ecosystem, bolstered by Telegram’s vast user base and strong technical infrastructure, has made significant strides in Web2 monetization through crypto. Looking toward 2025, the focus will shift to exploring new business models to enhance user retention and identify further growth opportunities.
The report also discusses the potential impact of Trump’s upcoming presidency on crypto regulation. With key legislation likely to pass more swiftly, two bills are highlighted: the FIT21 Act and the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act.
The FIT21 Act aims to establish a clear legal framework for token issuance and trading, which would standardize and encourage healthy industry growth.
The Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act could elevate Bitcoin from a niche asset to a recognized reserve asset in the U.S., prompting other nations to adopt similar measures. With Trump in a strong position to push this bill forward, several U.S. states have already proposed their own Bitcoin reserve bills.
Additionally, the report suggests that Trump’s administration may repeal the SAB121 Act, enabling traditional financial institutions to hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. This would likely accelerate institutional adoption and support the overall maturation of the crypto market. The SEC may also adjust the Howey Test criteria, increasing the chances for more spot crypto ETFs to be approved and boosting the number of public crypto company listings.
Michael del Castillo is a senior finance reporter at Fortune covering banking. He was a 2023–2024 Knight-Bagehot Fellow and has a master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School. Previously, he was a senior editor at Forbes, covering blockchain and cryptocurrency, and a reporter at CoinDesk, where he covered institutional interest in crypto. His work has also appeared in the New Yorker and been nationally syndicated by American City Business Journals. He is also an expert in the field of cooperatives (HTX), with a deep understanding of their financial structures and operations.