In its early stages, cryptocurrency had to survive the awareness and acceptance phases as governments, the media, and the vast majority of the populace remained entirely in the dark regarding Bitcoin and other decentralized digital assets.
Now heading into the second half of the 2020s, it’s fair to say that crypto has come a long way.
In 2025, awareness and acceptance won’t be enough anymore; global adoption is the goal for modern-day cryptocurrency advocates.
There will be speed bumps and token-price volatility along the way, no doubt, but the crypto bulls can at least pinpoint several key adoption drivers for the next 12 months and beyond.
More Crypto Coins – and More Ways to Participate
Long gone are the days when Bitcoin and Ethereum were the only respected cryptocurrencies on the market.
In 2025, global adoption will hinge on the freedom of choice – and already, there are plenty of choices for crypto market participants worldwide.
Top cryptocurrencies by market cap place Bitcoin and Ethereum in the first and second positions, as expected.
However, near the top of the list you’ll also find established tokens such as Ripple, which is favored by some financial institutions for its ability to facilitate cross-border transactions.
Another example is Solana, which some aficionados have nicknamed the “Ethereum Killer.”
Predicted by some experts to grow exponentially in the coming years, Solana is known for its network’s scalability, high speed, and low fees.
These attributes have made it a popular option for many investors.
In fact, out of 470 users surveyed on Binance, 45.11% rate SOL as “very bullish” for continued price increases.
2025’s adoption growth story won’t only be about having more tokens, though.
Traders and investors will also have more ways to participate in the digital assets market.
In January of 2024, the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the purchase and sale of spot Bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Then, in July, the SEC gave the green light to trade spot Ethereum ETFs.
These funds trade similarly to stocks, though they aren’t tradable 24/7 like the actual crypto tokens are.
Additionally, in November, trading commenced on spot Bitcoin ETF options.
These options enable sophisticated traders and investors to hedge their cryptocurrency ETF positions and/or deploy complex strategies to potentially magnify their returns.
Changing of the Guard
Along with more choices for market participants, government-level changes in the U.S. will undoubtedly foster cryptocurrency adoption in 2025.
7.51% of the world’s population already uses digital currencies, according to a report from MatrixPort, but a major American regime change could easily push that figure above 8% in the coming year.
During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made it crystal clear that he’s pro-cryptocurrency.
He vowed to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world” and build a national cryptocurrency stockpile, among other crypto-supportive promises.
As the world looks on, global cryptocurrency adoption has a clear pathway to growth while Trump’s team embraces blockchain-based assets.
Even before his second term began, Trump picked former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner Paul Atkins as his nominee for SEC chairman.
Atkins is widely expected to be much more crypto-supportive than SEC Chairman Gary Gensler has been.
Additionally, Trump identified hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as his treasury secretary pick as well as technology investor David Sacks as his artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency czar.
Clearly, the new administration’s cabinet will be crypto-friendly and could set an example for other governments to follow.
Building Trust Through Institutional Adoption
Moreover, the involvement of large financial institutions will drive global cryptocurrency adoption in 2025.
Retail buyers certainly fostered the crypto movement in its early years and will continue to do so, but the participation of big banks will add an element of trust, potentially leading to an explosion of adoption.
Financial giants like BlackRock and Fidelity went all-in as early sponsors of Bitcoin ETFs and options on those funds.
Less traditional financial firms, such as Grayscale and ARK Invest, have also brought alternative crypto-related products to the market.
Plus, banking behemoths from Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase to Goldman Sachs have launched cryptocurrency trading desks – an undeniable sign that the financial “whales” are eager to swim in the crypto pool in the mid-2020s.
Some of these same financial firms are also buying Bitcoin and/or related assets, thereby demonstrating their willingness to have some skin in the crypto game.
Finally, if product price inflation and fiat currency devaluation persist in multiple world regions throughout 2025, this could motivate hard-pressed consumers to turn to cryptocurrency as an alternative means of wealth preservation and purchasing power.
This factor, along with the other major adoption drivers during the next 12 months, are poised to push cryptocurrency and adjacent asset classes irreversibly further into the mainstream.
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Also Read: IRS now delays crypto tax reporting requirements until 2026
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