Big Picture Thinking: A Predictive Lens Into a Transformative 2025
Nikolai Kuznetsov
9 min read
We stand face-to-face with limitless potential. Bitcoin keeps setting new all-time highs (ATHs). The U.S. has a pro-crypto president (at last). Breakthroughs in cryptography, infrastructure, and functionality are all being made (daily). The boundaries between digital imagination and reality merge into a transformative blur. How exciting!
Unpacking that blur of change and decoding it into something calibrated and useful are a series of industry leaders who have provided their expert predictions about how they see blockchains redesigning value, trust, and community.
Will we make progress and transcend current limitations, or will builders be so focused on riding the bull that they take their foot off the gas? Find out as we peer into 2025, and see what our industry leaders think will unfold.
As traditional finance continues to explore blockchain and Web3 integration, what specific use case or technological capability will likely trigger the most significant wave of institutional adoption?
“The most compelling driver of institutional adoption in the blockchain space will be the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). Financial institutions are continuously searching for ways to unlock liquidity, reduce transaction costs, and streamline processes. Tokenizing assets such as real estate, bonds, and even equities can provide a new level of efficiency in asset management and trading. This technology allows assets to be fractionally owned, easily traded, and settled in real-time, cutting down on the need for intermediaries and dramatically improving operational efficiency.”
“Once we see clearer regulatory frameworks in place, institutions will be able to integrate these solutions into their core operations, leading to broader adoption. Additionally, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols that cater to institutional needs will help drive this shift forward.” - Christoph Tunkl, CEO of Welf.
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“I believe that enhanced security measures offered by blockchain tech will drive the next wave. Cyber threats will become more sophisticated; hence institutions are seeking robust solutions to protect sensitive financial data. Blockchain provides a decentralized and tamper-resistant system that reduces the risk of fraud and unauthorized access. In a world where it's better to "not trust and verify" instead, traditional finance will be able to safeguard transactions and build greater trust with their clients too.” - Allen Zhang, Co-Founder and CTO at GoPlus Security.
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“The turning point for institutional adoption will come when we eliminate reliance on government-issued data for economic analysis. Traditional financial systems depend on outdated, opaque, and often manipulated statistics. By leveraging decentralized oracles and real-time economic data like Truflation’s, institutions can gain an unprecedented level of accuracy and transparency. This capability will redefine risk modeling, improve decision-making, and foster trust in decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems. Institutions will adopt blockchain as they recognize that real-time, unbiased data gives them a competitive edge.” Stefan Rust, Founder & CEO at Truflation.
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“One case is definitely on-chain identity and Zero-Knowledge Proofs for privacy compliance. Institutions need mechanisms to verify identity and meet regulatory requirements without exposing sensitive data. The integration of zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology, such as zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs, will allow banks and financial institutions to transact on public ledgers while maintaining privacy and regulatory compliance. dRPC can provide real-time, queryable access to proof-generating protocols and decentralized identity solutions, supporting their seamless deployment.” - Viacheslav Shebanov, CTO at dRPC.
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“A stronger understanding of blockchain’s real-world applicability will be key to institutional adoption. When decision-makers grasp the practical benefits, such as improved identity management and more efficient public services, they’re more inclined to integrate the technology into existing workflows.”
“More broadly, adoption hinges on devs and founders having the educational resources to innovate. Once those building blocks are in place, it becomes easier for stakeholders across finance, government, and industry to pinpoint precisely how and why web3 technology can enhance their operations.” Pauline Cohen Vorms, Co-Founder & CEO at Polkadot Blockchain Academy.
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“The true tipping point for institutional integration will likely revolve around on-chain identity and compliance layers that allow seamless interaction between regulated finance and permissionless protocols. Once banks and asset managers can securely verify user credentials on-chain – while still operating under their traditional compliance frameworks – they’ll have the green light to commit real capital.”
“This bridging of regulatory standards with Web3’s promise of global liquidity will create an environment where money markets, tokenized assets, and yield-bearing instruments can be offered safely to a broader clientele. That synergy of regulated identity and transparent, decentralized architecture will be the foundation on which institutions finally embrace the innovation they’ve been eyeing for years. And yes, RWAs and AI will be a big part of that.” - Ran Yi, Co-Founder at Orderly Network.
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“My team is working at the intersection of the $11T travel industry and blockchain technology. Therefore, I firmly believe that on-chain payments will be the primary catalyst for institutional adoption.”
“The travel industry operates on notably thin margins, yet paradoxically, most companies must wait weeks or even months to receive payments. This creates a significant strain on working capital and operational efficiency. While decentralized finance (DeFi) presents a solution to this issue, we recognize that barriers still exist - from compliance and security concerns to usability challenges. The business case is compelling: when companies can eliminate the 2-3% they currently lose in transaction fees, they are more likely to unlock capital and human resources needed for blockchain research and development.” - Pablo Castillo, CEO & CTO of Chain4Travel, builders of the L1 Camino Network.
“Institutional adoption was already triggered in 2024 by the launch of the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. In 2025, the biggest drive of the next wave of institutional adoption will be crypto policy, under the Trump administration in the US, and MiCA in the EU. Regulation will be the main factor influencing how and at what speed institutions move into blockchain and Web3. This next wave of adoption is inevitable and imminent and will lead to more ETFs being launched (starting with Solana), more real-world and financial assets being tokenized and put on chain, and increased use of blockchain technologies for local money transfers, remittances, and payments through stablecoins. “ - Michael Stroev, CEO of Venga.
Looking ahead of 2025, which geopolitical or economic factor do you believe will be the most significant driver of adoption in emerging markets?
“Financial inclusion will be the most significant driver of blockchain adoption in emerging markets by 2025. A large portion of the population in many emerging economies remains outside of the traditional banking system, which presents a huge opportunity for blockchain-based financial solutions.”
“Technologies like stablecoins, decentralized lending, and digital identities can offer underserved populations access to essential financial services. Moreover, emerging markets are often more vulnerable to inflation and currency devaluation, which makes decentralized digital currencies an attractive alternative to local fiat currencies. Governments and central banks in these regions may also see blockchain as a tool to stabilize their economies, improve transparency, and attract foreign investment. As these factors come together, the adoption of blockchain and Web3 technologies will likely accelerate.” - Christoph Tunkl, CEO of Welf.
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“I'm a techno-optimist. By 2025, we’ll likely see a surge in adoption as technology becomes more accessible and trust in decentralized systems grows; as long as the variables are secure. Emerging markets have a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional systems with blockchain-based tools for payments, remittances, and financial access. With better education, infrastructure, and localized solutions, these regions can become hubs for innovation, creating a more interconnected and equitable global economy.” - Allen Zhang, Co-Founder and CTO at GoPlus Security
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“Currency instability and inflation will definitely continue to be a strong use case with rampant organic adoption. At the same time, emerging markets plagued by volatile fiat currencies will increasingly adopt blockchain-based stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions.” - Viacheslav Shebanov, CTO at dRPC
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“Inflation and limited access to traditional financial infrastructure are likely to be the defining forces propelling blockchain adoption in emerging markets. People facing volatile currencies or lacking reliable banking options will naturally gravitate toward decentralized solutions that provide stability and broader financial access. Communities must develop the technical know-how and entrepreneurial mindset to leverage blockchain for lasting impact. It’s not just about developing new tools; it’s about ensuring they’re usable by everyday people to solve everyday problems.” Pauline Cohen Vorms, Co-Founder & CEO at Polkadot Blockchain Academy
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“I foresee currency volatility continuing to be a major catalyst for crypto adoption in emerging markets. In economies where inflation remains stubbornly high or exchange rates are frequently in flux, people naturally gravitate toward more stable stores of value and cross-border payment methods.”
“Blockchain-based financial products will become the pragmatic solution, offering not only a hedge against local currency instability but also new avenues for saving, borrowing, and investing. Governments in those regions may initially be cautious, but once they recognize the benefits in terms of financial inclusion, the impetus for decentralized infrastructure will only gather pace.” - Ran Yi, Co-Founder at Orderly Network.
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“Looking ahead to 2025 and further, I see two transformative factors driving adoption in emerging markets: Digital Identity Wallets and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These technological innovations represent a fundamental shift in how businesses and consumers interact in the digital space.” - Pablo Castillo, CEO & CTO of Chain4Travel, builders of the L1 Camino Network.
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“Many emerging markets have been adopting crypto more rapidly, due to the unstable nature of their economies and local currencies. Most of this adoption navigated towards stablecoins and the various benefits they present to emerging markets, such as hedges against inflation, security, ownership, and remittances. In 2025, the adoption trend will be further propelled by crypto regulations in the US and Europe. This will drive the adoption of blockchain technologies and Web3 internationally.” - Michael Stroev, CEO of Venga.
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As these valuable commentaries from industry thought leaders illuminate, blockchain’s future is as much about innovation as it is about transformation. The future they envision, when looking at the bigger picture, is one of financial inclusion, enhanced security, and democratized access to economic opportunities. This means serving the underserved and creating a fairer playing field for all participants. Whether that be the tokenization of real-world assets or empowering emerging markets, blockchain will be at the center of it all.
