This year is nothing short of monumental for the crypto industry. Bitcoin has been hovering around $40,000 since the beginning of the year, but Skyrocketing above $100,000 In December. The industry shakes off the shadow of the lingering virtual currency winter, Celebrating groundbreaking approval of Bitcoin ETFand found himself increasingly entrenched in political conversations. In many ways, 2024 was a turning point, cementing the role of cryptocurrencies as a major player in both financial markets and social discourse.
Looking ahead, 2025 is expected to be a year of further transformation. President-elect Donald Trump was inaugurated after a virtual currency promotion campaign. A new era of policy and innovation We may be getting there soon. Adding to the excitement in the cryptocurrency community is the influential role of Trump ally Elon Musk.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated changes is that SEC Chairman Gary Gensler's resignation is imminent. He is known for his critical stance towards virtual currencies. President Trump nominates Paul AtkinsThe crypto advocate becoming the next SEC chairman is a move that could reshape the regulatory environment and foster greater opportunities for the industry.
Many crypto experts see 2025 as a pivotal year in which political, regulatory, and technological forces could converge to unlock unprecedented potential in the digital asset industry. According to interviews with industry experts and stakeholders, here's what to expect:
Will Bitcoin surpass $125,000?
“Never—easily,” he said. Noel Achesoncrypto analyst and author of the newsletter “Crypto is Macro Now.” In an email to Quartz, Acheson declined to give specific price predictions, but said Bitcoin is “very likely to reach well above $125,000 by summer.” Her optimism reflects the growing momentum in the crypto market, fueled by increased institutional investor interest and regulatory changes.
Does a US Bitcoin reserve exist?
During the Bitcoin conference in July, Trump caused a stir by promising to establish a government Bitcoin reserve. It could elevate Bitcoin to the status of a national strategic asset and change its role in the global financial system.
alexander bloomCEO of Two Prime, an SEC-regulated registered investment advisory firm specializing in digital asset derivatives, said such a move could have far-reaching implications for the market. He envisions President Trump not only announcing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, but also pushing Congress to pass legislation aimed at significantly increasing the nation's Bitcoin holdings.
“This will create a race for Bitcoin in many countries, just like gold once did,” Bloom said. “With the near-unlimited ability of central banks to print money, the sky’s the limit.”
What’s next for crypto ETFs? Will there be a Dogecoin ETF?
Acheson said additional crypto ETFs are likely to be approved, but may not be approved soon. He said that while new SEC leadership may ease the requirements, practical challenges remain.
Additionally, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is unlikely to approve derivatives of an asset unless it is clear whether the asset is classified as a commodity or a security, and this process can take time to resolve. Acheson said. Blume agreed, adding that high market cap cryptocurrencies like Solana have the best chance of ETF approval.
When asked about the possibility of a Dogecoin ETF, Acheson and Bloom expressed skepticism about such security anchored in Musk's favorite meme coin. Kathleen BrightmanThe co-founder and CEO of the Tezos Foundation offered a more light-hearted perspective. “Anything could happen,” she said with a laugh. “DOGE has definitely become a cultural icon, so why wouldn’t they?”
The future of crypto ETFs will likely depend on regulatory clarity, market infrastructure, and investor appetite.
Virtual currency regulations will be eased, but risks remain
Next year will bring significant deregulation to the crypto industry, providing much-needed transparency for investors and blockchain developers. Acheson said Congress is likely to eventually establish a comprehensive framework for digital assets, addressing key aspects such as licensing, registration and disclosure requirements.
“The first milestone will probably be a stablecoin bill,” Acheson said, highlighting the bill's relative simplicity and existing bipartisan support. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain stable value by being pegged to traditional assets such as the U.S. dollar, making them a key focus for regulators concerned about financial stability. It has become.
A broader crypto bill would take even more time due to its complexity. “But we'll get there,” Acheson said.
Acheson warned that the risks inherent in investing in cryptocurrencies will remain. These include the risk of rapid price declines, fraud, and overly restrictive regulation. “Even the most positive environment can turn negative at some point. That's how market cycles work,” she warned.
Brightman believes 2025 will be the year that more investors enter the crypto space due to increased confidence in regulation and market opportunities. But she cautioned investors, saying that “taking a conservative approach is probably the best strategy.”
