The year 2025 is described as a critical milestone as the first legal framework for the crypto industry gradually takes shape, coinciding with the maturation of foundational technologies (L1, DeFi, DePIN, stablecoins). The article focuses on prominent trends and ideas, from DePIN robots to 'Zero-Employee Companies', on-chain securities, new payment methods, off-chain on-chain verification, social trading, to the explosion of institutional investment.
***this is a summary from the article Frontier Ideas For 2025 by MULTICOIN CAPITAL
Level 1: Surface Thinking
DePIN Robotics and Zero-Employee Companies
DePIN Robotics: Autonomous robots combine the DePIN model (raising capital/resources from the community) to reduce risks for developing companies, leveraging crucial data to assist AI self-driving cars.
Zero-Employee Company: Operates entirely based on AI 'thinking-planning-action-correcting'. Can be governed through DAO, funded by the crypto market.
On-chain securities
U.S. regulations may loosen, allowing the issuance of stocks/bonds on blockchain (Solana, Ethereum...) with low transaction costs and fast settlement times.
Breakthrough: data transparency, high liquidity, reducing traditional wait times (T+2).
Buy now – no payment, portfolio spending & collateral
Buy now, never pay: Users 'collateralize' tokens for merchants to enjoy staking/lending interest instead of paying cash upfront.
Portfolio spending: Selling tokenized assets (BTC, USDC, stocks, gold) at a ratio to pay with just one click.
Portfolio collateral: Utilizing all assets (stocks, crypto...) to borrow on-chain or trade cross-asset leverage.
Off-chain on-chain status verification
Using zero-knowledge proofs (zkTLS) to verify web data, KYC, credit scores...
Homomorphic encryption (FHE) allows for secure computation, AI training; blocks of private data ready to 'rent' for AI learning.
Identity systems, content provenance (C2PA, Worldcoin) protect against deepfakes, Sybil attacks.
Trading becomes multiplayer & Comprehensive media companies
Social trading: A platform connecting traders sharing P&L, 'group trading', integrating Telegram, Discord bots.
Comprehensive media companies: Self-designing tokens, controlling rules, distribution, talent contracts (e.g., Karate Combat). Combining streaming, prediction tokens...
Alpha Hunters (AI agents hunting opportunities)
Tokens can launch en masse, mainly memecoins. DEXs overshadow CEXs due to listing speed.
Next-gen AI agents seek 'alpha' in automated trading (leveraging on-chain data, sentiment analysis, risk models).
Institutionalization explosion
Financial institutions (funds, banks) intensify their offering of crypto products (ETFs, stablecoins, custody, credit...).
Stablecoins become the 'standard' for global trade, all companies need a stablecoin strategy.
Level 2: Core Thinking
Risk allocation, sharing economy
DePIN robots transfer infrastructure cost risks to decentralized contributors, driving scale-up AI self-driving vehicles.
Zero-Employee Companies reflect the spirit of 'no employees, only AI,' leveraging DAO for governance and funding.
On-chain asset model 'closed-open'
On-chain securities & tokenized assets: Reducing costs, transaction times, transparency, opening up the 'Buy now, never pay' product.
Portfolio collateral: Merging real assets and crypto, eliminating boundaries in on-chain 'wallets'.
Synergy of AI + Cryptography
Zero-knowledge proofs, FHE, proof of identity... applied to legitimize AI data, ensuring security.
Autonomous AI agents trading, hunting alpha, transitioning from web2 to web3.
Transforming trading into community experience
Social trading, 'multiplayer' funds create virality, sharing risks and profits.
Comprehensive media companies integrate token + content, 'tokenizing' idols, shows...
Institutional wave
Legal clarity and financial demand pouring in, creating a multitude of ETFs, funds, stablecoin products, custody.
Major changes in retail payment structures, banking, investment funds.
Level 3: Meaning Thinking
Changing business models
Autonomous AI, DePIN robots force businesses to rethink capital, labor, infrastructure.
Tokenization of securities and assets drives innovation in traditional finance, creating a 'sandbox' for liquidity, collateral, ETFs.
Expanding market access
More on-chain products and social trading lower the entry threshold, allowing everyone to participate, encouraging financial autonomy.
Multiplayer trading can change investment culture, increase 'friendliness' and community.
Balancing innovation and legality
Accelerating innovation (Zero-Employee Company, AI agent) also comes with the need for risk management, user protection.
Large organizations are 'transforming' to catch up, promoting blockchain technology and stablecoins into the mainstream financial system.
Five key takeaways
Robot + DePIN: Autonomous robots originating from decentralized crowdfunding models, alleviating financial burdens for startups.
Zero-Employee Company: AI does everything, DAO governs, funding raised from crypto, promising breakthroughs in business models.
On-chain assets and securities: Speed, transparency, low costs, requiring only supportive regulations to unlock huge opportunities.
Social trading & media: 'Multiplayer' trading and 'media tokenized' continue to explode, changing how users interact with finance and content.
Institutionalization: Institutional cash flow, ETFs, stablecoins, custody... drives crypto to a new height.
Conclusion
The year 2025 brings a 'once-in-a-lifetime' wave in the crypto industry, from AI applications at the scale of business automation to on-chain securities, widespread stablecoins, and social trading. All move within the context of a more transparent legal framework, enabling large financial institutions to invest, expanding the scope of DeFi and web3. Leapfrogging in infrastructure, product thinking, and business models signal a new phase where crypto is deeply integrated with the global socio-economic landscape.