In a recent blog post, VanEck has unveiled its top 10 predictions for the cryptocurrency landscape in 2025. The firm anticipates a dynamic market, projecting significant growth and transformative shifts across various sectors.
Anticipated Peaks in the Crypto Bull Market
VanEck forecasts a thriving crypto bull market that will persist through 2025, predicting the first major peak in the first quarter. By the end of the year, new all-time highs are expected. Specifically, Bitcoin is projected to reach approximately $180,000, while Ethereum could surpass $6,000. Solana and Sui are also likely to see impressive gains, potentially exceeding $500 and $10, respectively.
Following this initial surge, a market correction is expected, with Bitcoin experiencing a 30% retracement. Altcoins may face sharper declines, up to 60%, as the market consolidates during the summer months. Nonetheless, a recovery is anticipated in the fall, setting the stage for a robust rally to reclaim previous highs by year-end.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Looking ahead, VanEck predicts a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Bitcoin. By 2025, it expects either the federal government or a prominent state, such as Pennsylvania, Florida, or Texas, to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. This move would signal a broader acceptance and integration of Bitcoin into national financial strategies.
Moreover, with anticipated changes in SEC leadership, VanEck foresees the approval of multiple new spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs). Ethereum ETPs are expected to offer staking options, and both Ethereum and Bitcoin ETPs will likely facilitate in-kind transactions and redemptions.
Tokenized Securities To Exceed $50 Billion
VanEck envisions 2025 as a pivotal year for tokenized securities, with their value projected to exceed $50 billion. This growth will be driven by the launch of these securities on open-source blockchains, as entities like the DTCC explore integrating public and private blockchain systems.
Additionally, stablecoins are set to revolutionize payment systems, with daily settlement volumes expected to reach $300 billion by the close of 2025, a substantial increase from the current $100 billion per day.
1 Million AI Agents Could Emerge
A particularly intriguing prediction from VanEck is the emergence of one million new AI agents by 2025. These agents, which already generated significant revenues by late 2024, are anticipated to expand their on-chain activities significantly. Their influence is expected to extend beyond decentralized finance (DeFi) into social media, gaming, and consumer applications.
Furthermore, VanEck projects substantial growth in Bitcoin Layer-2 solutions, reaching 100,000 BTC in total value locked. This growth is built on a remarkable 600% increase observed in 2024. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s blob space is expected to generate $1 billion in fees, driven by the rapid adoption of Layer-2 solutions, rollup optimizations, and high-fee use cases like tokenized assets and enterprise applications.
DeFi To Hit ATHs, NFT Trading Volumes To Rebound
DeFi is on track to reach new heights in 2025, with decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes projected to hit $4 trillion and total value locked (TVL) expected to reach $200 billion. This growth will be fueled by AI-related tokens, consumer-facing decentralized applications (dApps), and tokenized assets, all of which are set to drive liquidity and adoption.
Additionally, NFT trading volumes are anticipated to rebound to $30 billion. Despite recent downturns, standout projects have managed to thrive, leveraging robust community engagement to defy the broader market trends.
In conclusion, VanEck predicts a significant narrowing of the performance gap between dApp tokens and Layer-1 blockchain tokens. While Layer-1 tokens outperformed dApp tokens by a factor of two in 2024, the launch of innovative dApps in AI and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) is expected to drive a notable performance shift.
