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welcome to money is freedom
a podcast
exploring how finance and freedom connect in our lives
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welcome to episode 23
where we dive into the exciting predictions
for the crypto industry in 2025
drawing insights from a 16 z crypto
bit wise and Vanek we explore key themes
shaping the future of this dynamic ecosystem
from a sustained bull market and institutional adoption
to the rise of stablecoins
tokenized assets and AI integration
this episode unpacks the facts
figures and innovations
set to define the next phase of crypto evolution
get ready for a detailed briefing on what's next
for Bitcoin Ethereum
Defi and more
all right let's dive in
we're looking ahead to crypto in 2025
and we've got some fascinating predictions to unpack
we're talking about reports from some serious
players in the game Andreason Horowitz
the venture capital giants Vanek
those asset management gurus
and bit wise the crypto analyst crew
yeah it's like
getting a sneak peek into the minds of the
people shaping the industry right
their predictions
give us a glimpse into where they think things
are going even if it's all a bit of a guessing game
totally and what's interesting is
they're all pretty bullish on crypto for 2025
but their outlooks are well
kind of different bit wise is calling it a golden age
like full on crypto Utopia
but then Venec is a bit more cautious
you know talking about peaks and corrections
and then there's a sixteens
they're less about specific numbers
and more about the tech itself
like where's the innovation going
it's good reminder that
even the experts don't always agree right
yeah especially in a space like crypto
things are moving so fast
and there's so many different factors at play for sure
so let's start with the big picture
the overall macro landscape for crypto in 2025
what kind of world are these predictions painting
well bitwise
is seeing a world
where regulations are actually helping crypto grow
like they're not stifling innovation
they're creating a framework for things to thrive
and they're talking about a boom in companies
going public through crypto ipos
think about that a whole wave of new crypto companies
hitting the stock market so
they're thinking
that's gonna lead to a massive surge in the market
yeah that's their bet
now Venec also sees growth
but they're a bit more cautious
like you said
they think we'll see a peak early in the year
followed by a correction
kind of like a roller coaster ride
up and then down a bit
but then they see new highs towards the end of 2025
so still an upward trend overall
so a little bump in the road
but still heading in the right direction
Brad's their take and then a sixteens
like we mentioned they're not so focused on the market
UPS and downs they're more about the tech itself
how things like stable coins and AI
are gonna change the game
okay so overall positive vibes
but with different levels of
I guess excitement
now what about Bitcoin specifically
is it still the king in 2025
oh it seems like it yeah
but maybe its role is changing a bit bitwise
they're predicting
bitcoin will go beyond just being digital gold
they think
it's gonna become a strategic asset for countries
like a national reserve
they actually think it could double
the number of countries holding it
wow okay
that's interesting yeah
and they're forecasting a price of over $200,000
$200,000 that's a pretty big incentive to jump on board
right Van
Ek they also see bitcoin as a potential reserve asset
maybe at the federal or even state level
here in the US
they're not quite as bullish on the price
predicting around $180,000
but they do have another interesting prediction
they think corporate holdings of Bitcoin
could actually surpass those of Satoshi Nakamoto
wait hold on
corporations owning more bitcoin than Satoshi
that's a big shift right
Satoshi the mysterious creator of Bitcoin
still holds a significant amount
but if corporations start accumulating more
that could really change the power dynamics
think about it governments and corporations
both stocking up on bitcoin
it's like a new kind of gold rush
but digital exactly
raises some interesting questions right
what would that mean for the global financial system
totally before we go down that rabbit hole
let's talk about something else
everyone seems excited about stablecoins
they seem to think those are gonna be a big deal
in 2025 absolutely
they
see stablecoins as the way to bring crypto to everyone
even those who aren't that tech savvy
Vanik uses this analogy of a Trojan horse
like stablecoins are gonna
quietly slip into the financial system
before most people even realize what's happening
okay that's a powerful image
so they're not just talking about some niche tech
they're talking about changing how we pay for things
exactly they're predicting massive
daily trading volumes for stable coins
like think $300 billion yeah
and they think big names like Apple
Google Visa
Mastercard they'll all be involved
so
even those companies that are built on the traditional
financial system they're embracing this new tech
seems like it
and a sixteens dives even deeper into this
they think stable coins
will disrupt those areas
where traditional systems are weakest
like international money transfers
or small transactions so
think about how much easier
and cheaper it could be to send money across borders
right that's a game changer
especially for folks in developing countries
who rely on remittances it makes you wonder
how banks
and credit card companies are going to react to this
are they just gonna sit back and watch
as their business models get disrupted
that's the big question
will they adapt or get left behind
we might see them scrambling
to integrate stable coins into their systems
or even partnering with crypto companies
it's gonna be interesting to see how that plays out
but
the crypto world is so much bigger than just bitcoin
and stable coins
what are our sources saying about the beyond
bitcoin landscape of 2025
well this is where things get even more diverse
you know
showing how the whole crypto ecosystem is growing
we're seeing predictions about Ethereum
Solana and something called layer 2 solutions
which if I can just quickly explain
are basically like adding extra lanes to a highway
to help it handle more traffic
ah okay
so it's about making things faster and more efficient
exactly so tell me more about these predictions
well
bit wise is pretty bullish on both Ethereum and Salona
they think Ethereum could hit $7,000
and Salona could reach $750
they see this growth being driven by those layer
2 solutions we talked about
plus they say
these blockchains are becoming more
and more useful for different applications
so it's not just about speculation
it's about what the tech can actually do
right and Vanek's prediction about Ethereum
it's focused on its potential to generate fees
specifically from something called blob Space
it's a little technical but basically
it's about how Ethereum is evolving to store more data
okay I'll trust you on the technical details
but the takeaway is that
Ethereum is still a major player
and its technology is evolving in ways that could make
it even more valuable exactly
and AI sixteens they have a prediction
that's less about specific technologies
and more about a shift in mindset
they think that in 2025 crypto
companies are gonna be really focused on making things
easy for users
user friendly that's key for mainstream adoption right
exactly it's about making the technology
disappear into the background
so people can focus on what they wanna do with it
whether it's sending money
investing or building new applications
okay so we've got Bitcoin potentially going global
stable coins shaking things up in payments
and a big push towards user friendliness
in the crypto world
now let's dive into something even more futuristic
the intersection of AI and crypto
this is where the predictions get really mind blowing
what are they saying about the space
alright welcome back
to our deep dive into these crypto predictions
2025 edition 2025 here we come
we've covered a lot of ground already
but now
let's turn our attention to a corner of the crypto
would have that seen both incredible highs
and some well
dramatic lows defi
decentralized finance defi the world of lending
borrowing trading all powered by blockchain
it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride for those defi
investors hasn't it
oh yeah definitely a wild ride
we had that explosive growth
the defi summer remember back in 2020
it felt like a new protocol
was launching every other day
promising crazy returns just like the Wild West
of finance but in the digital world
exactly but then came the correction
leaving many people wondering if DFI had
maybe lost its momentum well
Vanek seems to think DFI is poised for a comeback
in 2025 there
predicting that
the volume of trading on decentralized exchanges
those duxes could hit a whopping $4 trillion
$4 trillion that's a lot of zeros
and the total value locked
the TVL in defi protocols could exceed $200 billion
those are some impressive numbers
but they're actually still below the all time highs
we saw during that defi summer
so the question is what's gonna drive this resurgence
what makes this time different
yeah what are they seeing that makes them so optimistic
well Venet points to a few key factors
first they believe
the overall growth in the crypto market
will benefit Defi as well
it's like a rising tide lets all boats right
so as more people get into crypto
they're naturally gonna start exploring Defi as well
exactly second
they anticipate a new wave of users
who are drawn to the potential for higher returns
and more control over their assets
compared to traditional finance
right yeah
that's the appeal of Defi
the idea that you're not relying on banks
or intermediaries
you're in control of your own financial destiny
exactly and finally
they see the integration of real world assets
and tokenize securities into DFI
as a major catalyst for growth
so bringing those traditional assets into the DFI world
yeah that's where things get really interesting
if you can start tokenizing things like real estate
or stocks and trading them on DFI platforms
that opens up a whole new level of possibilities
it does
and it could attract a whole new wave of investors
who are looking for exposure to those assets
but in a more decentralized and efficient way
so if we connect this back to the bigger picture
we're seeing several trends converging
that could create a perfect storm for DFI
definitely
we've got the growing institutional interest in crypto
the potential for clearer regulations
and the development of those layer 2 solutions
we talked about earlier
all leading to a more robust and sustainable DFI
ecosystem it's all coming together
yeah but of course
we also have to remember the lessons of the past right
we can't just get caught up in the hype
and forget that defi can be risky
exactly not all defi projects are created equal
and there are always risks involved
especially in such a new and rapidly evolving space
it's more important than ever to do your research
understand the risks
and never invest more than you can afford to lose
solid advice
now let's shift gears for a moment
and talk about another corner of the crypto world
that made a big splash a few years back Nfts
those non fungible tokens
they took the world by storm back in 2021
uh nfts
the digital collectibles
everyone was talking about million dollar J
pegs virtual land selling for crazy prices
it felt like a whole new world was opening up
it did but just like DFI
the NFT market cooled off significantly
after that initial frenzy
prices dropped and some people started wondering
if NFTs were just a fad yeah
there was a lot of talk about a bubble bursting
so are NFTs dead is the party over
well Venic doesn't seem to think so
they're actually predicting a market recovery in 2025
with trading volumes reaching $30 billion $30 billion
so they're thinking
NFTs are still gonna be a force to be reckoned with
it seems that way they believe
NFTs are moving beyond the hype and speculation
and entering a more mature phase
one that's focused on utility
community building and real world applications
so it's not just about owning a cool
digital image anymore exactly
it's about being part of a community
participating in a shared experience
and potentially
unlocking new forms of value and engagement
so
the focus is shifting from quick profits to long term
value and engagement right
the height may have died down
but the underlying innovation continues
and as the technology matures
and finds new applications
we could see a more balanced and sustainable NFT
market emerge make sense
but the NFT space is still very dynamic right
oh yeah constantly changing
new trends and projects are popping up all the time
it's hard to predict exactly what's gonna happen
so the predictions we're discussing are
just a glimpse into what might happen
a starting point for our imaginations really
the future of NFTs like the future of crypto in general
is still being written absolutely
that's what makes it so exciting
now speaking of exciting developments
Van Ek
also has a prediction about something called DAP tokens
DAP tokens yeah
they think these tokens could start narrowing
the performance gap with the tokens of major
layer 1 blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum
interesting so catch me up
what are DAP tokens
and why have they been lagging behind
DAP tokens are essentially the tokens that power
decentralized applications
those DAP we keep talking about
think of them as the fuel for these applications
okay that makes sense
now historically
the tokens of major layer 1 blockchains
like Bitcoin and Ethereum
have generally performed better than DAP tokens
why is that
there are a few theories about that
some people say it's because
layer 1 tokens benefit from what's called
the platform effect they capture value from
all
the activity happening on their respective blockchain
so they're like the foundation
and everything else is built on top of them right
others suggest that investors
see LAIR1 tokens as a safer bet
in a volatile market
preferring the stability of established players
it's like sticking with the blue chip stocks
of the cryptoworld exactly
but why does Venek think this dynamic could change
why do they think DAP tokens might start catching up
well
they believe that as new and innovative DAP's emerge
offering compelling use cases
in attracting a growing user base
their tokens could start catching up
in terms of performance they specifically mention AI
and Depan as areas where they see
significant DAP innovation happening
OK Depen
remind me what that is again
dippy
pin stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure
Networks
it's basically about using blockchain technology
to create and manage real world infrastructure
things like wireless networks
data storage even energy grids
wow that sounds pretty ambitious
it is and if these dipping projects take off
as some predict the tokens of the DAPs powering them
could see a surge in demand
so it's a reminder that the crypto landscape is
constantly changing oh yeah
always evolving
what's hot today might not be the star of tomorrow
and as new technologies in use cases emerge
the balance of power can shift dramatically
makes sense now
before we wrap up this part of our deep dive
I want to circle back to something we talked about
earlier stable points
and their potential to revolutionize payments
Vanek predicts that stablecoin
daily settlement volumes could reach $300 billion
in 2025 that's a massive number
it is but when you consider
the factor's driving stablecoin adoption
it's not entirely outlandish
lower fees faster transaction times
increased accessibility those are all big draws
especially as more people get comfortable with crypto
and we're not just talking about theory anymore right
we're seeing major tech
and payment companies getting involved
exactly Apple
Google Visa
Mastercard
they're all exploring savealcoin integrations
when you have those giants getting involved
it's a clear sign that things are shifting
they're not gonna sit on the sidelines and watch
as the world changes around them
it's like the saying if you can't beat them
join them exactly
we could see a scenario where these traditional players
embrace stablepoints
integrating them into their existing systems
instead of fighting them
imagine paying for your coffee with stable coins
using your Apple Pay or Google Pay
it's not that far fetched
that would be pretty cool
alright I think we've covered a lot of ground
in this part of our deep dive
we've explored Venex
predictions about a defi resurgence
an NFT market recovery and the rise of DAP tokens
we also dug a little deeper
into the potential for stable coins
to disrupt the payments landscape
so what's next
what other crypto crystal ball gazing awaits us
and we're back ready
for the final leg of our crypto prediction journey
let's do it we've heard from the venture capitalists
and the asset managers
but now it's time for the crypto native analysts
bit wise
they're painting a particularly bold vision for 2025
calling it a golden age of crypto
golden age sounds pretty epic right
their predictions are definitely on the optimistic side
and they're not just talking about market prices
they're imagining a world where
crypto is deeply integrated into everything
like finance everyday life
you name it okay
so paint me a picture
what does this golden age actually looks like
according to bit wise well
they're predicting Bitcoin could soar past $200,000
wow ethereum hitting $7,000
and even Solana reaching $750
there's just some pretty impressive numbers right
but they're not just focused on price
they're looking at adoption
how both individuals and institutions are using crypto
so it's not just about the hype
it's about real world use cases
exactly for example
they're predicting that Bitcoin Etfs
those exchange traded funds
that make it easier for people to invest in Bitcoin
they'll attract even more investment in 2025
than they did in 2024 so even more mainstream adoption
yeah that's the idea
and get this they even see Coinbase
that popular crypto exchange
surpassing Charles Schwab
wait Coinbase bigger than Charles Schwab
that's what they're saying
they think Coinbase could become the most
valuable brokerage in the world
with its stock price exceeding $700 per share
that's a bold prediction
it's like saying crypto is gonna take over Wall Street
it's definitely a sign of
how quickly things are changing
bit wise is basically saying that
crypto is becoming a mainstream
financial asset investors are taking it seriously
and they're not just dipping their toes in the water