In 2024, the cryptocurrency industry will witness key trends such as the rise of memecoins, the development of prediction markets, innovations in liquid staking tokens, threats from quantum computing, the rise of DePINs, and the widespread adoption of AI trading tools. These events will drive the deep integration of blockchain technology with real-world assets. This article is based on a piece written by Lorena Nessi and compiled and translated by the Plain Blockchain. (Background: Bitcoin breaks 100,000) CZ laughs, "Other assets have become cheaper," while the lady stock god claims BTC's narrative is greater than gold.) (Background supplementation: TBW reports) VCs reveal hidden changes in the crypto market; has the super bull market become a thing of the past?) 2024 is an important year for the cryptocurrency industry, filled with exciting trends and moments that continue to spark heated discussions within the community. From the headlines caused by memecoins to the tokenization of real assets, the entire year is filled with stories that propel blockchain into new domains. Telegram games bring cryptocurrencies closer to everyday users, while prediction markets and liquid staking tokens offer new ways to interact with digital assets. Coupled with rollups, modular blockchains, and the race to address quantum threats, 2024 is undoubtedly an extraordinary year. These ten trends showcase the vitality and innovation driving the crypto world forward. 1. The Rise of Memecoins Memecoins are an unprecedented social phenomenon. While some view them as simple, trivial, or even question their legitimacy as digital assets, considering them bad financial decisions or merely fleeting trends and products of viral marketing, they undeniably occupy a significant place in the crypto ecosystem, merging humor, community engagement, and innovative digital value creation with a broader cultural movement. 1) Grassroots Movements and Celebrity Effects These tokens resonate with various social, political, and economic contexts, reflecting the cultural spirit. They rely on celebrity culture, often boosted by influencers, which frequently enhances their visibility. Memecoins often leverage grassroots movements, where communities unite around shared ideas and values, sparking collective action and forming viral trends. Memecoins also highlight the role of participatory culture, enabling users to promote the tokens' popularity and shape narratives through collective effort. Sometimes, they may simply be trivial trends. 2) Memecoins in 2024: Milestones and Influence In 2024, memecoins solidify their status as a decisive force in the crypto realm. Tokens influenced by Shiba Inu (SHIB), such as Neiro (NEIRO) and FLOKI Inu (FLOKI)—the latter of which launched a debit card—along with PepeCoin (PEPE), which capitalizes on internet memes and nostalgia culture, showcase how humor and cultural relevance can inspire significant financial activity. A notable example of memecoin influence in 2024 is when President Donald Trump appoints Elon Musk to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The mission of this advisory body is to streamline federal operations and reduce inefficiencies, with its acronym deliberately paying tribute to Dogecoin (DOGE), which is widely known as Musk's favored asset. 3) The Intersection of Technology, Culture, and Society Memecoins reflect the intersection of technology, culture, society, and politics, demonstrating how seemingly whimsical ideas challenge traditional values and notions of innovation. For many, they serve as a gateway into the crypto world, providing an accessible entry point into a technology-driven digital asset landscape. 2. Growth of Prediction Markets In 2024, decentralized platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket gained widespread attention for allowing users to predict events and earn rewards. These platforms cover a wide range of topics, including sports event outcomes, election results, and cryptocurrency prices, utilizing blockchain technology to ensure transparency and security. During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Kalshi's betting volume exceeded $100 million, showcasing the potential of prediction markets in gauging public sentiment. However, this growth has also drawn criticism. Some analysts argue that low liquidity and susceptibility to manipulation undermine the reliability of prediction markets as forecasting tools. Regulatory scrutiny has intensified as well. Kalshi prevailed in a legal battle with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), allowing it to offer contracts on political events, but concerns about legality and market manipulation persist. Additionally, some expressed ethical objections, questioning the morality of gambling on elections. A user on X voiced her concerns about election gambling, posting, "I think what the CFTC is pushing for is actually correct. Why gamble on elections? Personally, I don't like the idea." Despite facing these challenges, the rise of prediction markets highlights the demand for decentralized solutions to real-world problems, solidifying their status as a significant trend in the crypto space in 2024. 3. Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) and Liquid Re-staking Tokens (LRTs) In 2024, liquid staking tokens (LSTs) and liquid re-staking tokens (LRTs) gradually emerged, gaining greater influence based on earlier innovations. Although EigenLayer launched its mainnet in mid-2023, its impact became more pronounced in 2024 as re-staking adoption steadily increased. By mid-year, over 33.8 million ETH had been staked, indicating growing market confidence in Ethereum's proof-of-stake (PoS) model and the viability of liquid staking. LSTs allow users to maintain liquidity while staking assets, enabling decentralized finance (DeFi) activities such as borrowing and trading. LRTs further enhance this concept by allowing validators to re-stake staked assets to other networks or support services like rollups, improving their functionality and rewards. Despite a surge in adoption in 2024, achieving widespread adoption across all domains remains an ongoing process. Key Platforms and Competition EigenLayer made significant strides in re-staking, having re-staked over 4.1 million ETH by April 2024. Other platforms like Lido Finance, Rocket Pool, and Frax Finance also contributed significantly, expanding the application of LSTs and integrating them into the DeFi ecosystem. These projects play a critical role in driving innovation and accessibility in the staking domain. Progress in 2024 positions LSTs and LRTs as key tools in the staking ecosystem, laying the groundwork for future developments in the integration of blockchain technology and DeFi. 4. Quantum Computing Threats In 2024, discussions about the impact of quantum computing on blockchain security became a focal point. While quantum computing technology offers tremendous potential for scientific breakthroughs and innovation, it also poses a significant threat to the core of cryptocurrencies—security. 1) Quantum Threats Quantum computers leverage the power of quantum mechanics, potentially breaking the protections of...

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