The crypto landscape is evolving rapidly and Bitwise, a prominent spot Bitcoin ETF issuer, has released its bold predictions for retail investors going into 2025. While these forecasts are speculative, they paint a compelling picture of how Bitcoin and the crypto industry are reshaping global finance.
Here are the ten key predictions from Bitwise’s report:
1. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Will Hit New All-Time Highs
2025 price targets: Bitcoin will trade above $200,000, Ethereum will reach $7,000, and Solana will hit $750.
The 2024 Bitcoin halving, institutional adoption, and potential government interest in strategic Bitcoin reserves are expected to propel prices higher. Ethereum’s resurgence is tied to Layer 2 solutions and growing applications in stablecoins and tokenized assets, while Solana’s focus on performance and new projects solidifies its rise and use in memecoin creation. These three cryptocurrencies are predicted to outperform traditional assets yet again, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
2. Bitcoin ETFs Will Attract More Flows in 2025 Than They Did in 2024
In 2024, Bitcoin ETFs saw record inflows of $33.6 billion. Bitwise predicts this will grow further in 2025 as wealth managers from firms like Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo enter the market. Historically, the second year of ETF launches often witnesses increased demand, mirroring the success of gold ETFs in the early 2000s.
3. Coinbase Will Surpass Charles Schwab as the Most Valuable Brokerage
“Coinbase will surpass Charles Schwab, with its stock trading above $700 per share.”
Coinbase’s expansion into stablecoin revenue, Layer 2 solutions like Base, and staking services is expected to drive substantial growth. With revenue already doubling year-over-year, Coinbase’s trajectory could position it as a leader not only in crypto but across global brokerage platforms.
4. 2025 Will Be the Year of Crypto IPOs
“At least five crypto unicorns will go public in the U.S.”
Crypto unicorns like Circle, Kraken, and Chainalysis are poised for IPOs in 2025. The shift toward blockchain adoption, favorable market conditions, and political support from the incoming Trump administration create a fertile environment for these companies to debut on public markets. Their success could further legitimize crypto as a mainstream industry.
5. AI Agents Will Accelerate Memecoin Trading
“Tokens launched by AI agents will spearhead a memecoin mania even bigger than in 2024.”
The fusion of AI and crypto is leading to innovative experiments like Clanker, an AI bot that autonomously creates tokens. While pretty much all memecoins lack intrinsic value, their popularity underscores the playful yet transformative potential of combining AI and blockchain technology within social media.
- More Countries Will Form Bitcoin Reserves
“The number of countries holding Bitcoin will double.”
With nations like El Salvador and Bhutan already embracing Bitcoin, other governments are expected to follow suit. A U.S. proposal to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve has sparked discussions globally, potentially triggering a Bitcoin arms race as countries recognize its value as a financial hedge.
7. All U.S. Investors Will Effectively Have Crypto Exposure
“Coinbase Will Enter the S&P 500 and MicroStrategy the Nasdaq-100, adding crypto exposure to nearly every U.S. investor’s portfolio.”
Inclusion in major indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 would embed crypto exposure into millions of portfolios. With billions of dollars indexed to these funds, this shift could mark a significant milestone in crypto’s integration into traditional finance.
8. Crypto in 401(k) Plans
“The U.S. Department of Labor will relax its guidance against crypto in 401(k) plans, enabling billions of dollars to flow into crypto assets.”
Relaxed regulations on crypto in retirement accounts could unlock billions in new investments. With U.S. 401(k) plans holding over $8 trillion in assets, even a small allocation to crypto could have an outsized impact on the market.
9. Stablecoin Market Will Double Next Year
“Stablecoins will reach $400 billion as the U.S. passes long-awaited stablecoin legislation.”
Clear regulations around stablecoins, coupled with their growing utility in payments and global trade, are set to fuel massive growth. Traditional finance giants like J.P. Morgan and fintech leaders like PayPal are already utilizing stablecoin applications, signaling widespread adoption.
10. Tokenized Real-World Assets Will Surpass $50 Billion
“The value of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) will surpass $50 billion as Wall Street’s embrace of crypto intensifies.”
Representing real-world assets on blockchains, such as bonds, commodities, and real estate, offers greater efficiency, transparency, and liquidity. BlackRock and other institutional players are driving this trend, with tokenized assets expected to become a $50 billion market in 2025.
Bonus Prediction: Bitcoin Will Overtake Gold by 2029
“Bitcoin will overtake the $18 trillion gold market and trade above $1 million per Bitcoin.”
Bitwise forecasts that Bitcoin will surpass gold’s market cap within five years, driven by its scarcity, technological superiority, and increasing adoption as a store of value. This would mark a monumental achievement, redefining how wealth is preserved in the digital age.
While these predictions come from Bitwise, a company with a vested interest in Bitcoin’s success, they highlight trends that are hard to ignore. The integration of crypto into mainstream finance, the rise of blockchain innovations, and global adoption point to a future where Bitcoin and other crypto ecosystems play a pivotal role in reshaping the financial world. Whether all these predictions come true or not, one thing is certain: 2025 will be another transformative year for the crypto industry.
