Written by: Lei, Golden Finance
In 2025, several key areas in the decentralized field will see further maturity and innovation. As technology continues to break through, the industry's development momentum is strong, and the application scenarios and market demands in various fields are also growing. This year, we will witness the advancement of trends such as the combination of AI and blockchain, the deep integration of DeFi and real-world assets (RWA), and the continued optimization of modular infrastructure. These trends represent not only technological innovation but also showcase the broad application and significant market potential of blockchain across various industries.
1. Integration of AI and blockchain (AI x Blockchain)
In 2024, the integration of AI and blockchain became the forefront of technological innovation, with several new projects emerging. The Eliza Framework launched by Eliza Labs provides an open-source technical framework that supports the creation, deployment, and management of intelligent AI agents across different platforms and integrates with blockchains (like Solana), promoting the development of autonomous AI agents in decentralized finance. Additionally, the Virtuals Protocol launched on the Ethereum L2 Base platform allows users to create and profit from tokenized AI agents. These AI agents can interact with users through text, voice, and 3D animations, opening up new revenue opportunities.
2025 trends:
Growth of autonomous AI agents: AI agents will gradually execute tasks independently in areas such as financial transactions, content creation, and social interactions, promoting the popularization of decentralized AI applications.
Further integration of AI and DeFi: More AI-driven DeFi applications will emerge, enhancing automation in investment, credit scoring, and risk management.
AI-driven decentralized governance: The application of AI in DAOs and decentralized organizations will become more widespread for coordinating and managing community decisions.
Focus on privacy and security: As AI is applied more deeply in blockchain, privacy protection and data security will become priorities, driving the development of new technologies to ensure the trustworthiness of agents.
2. Layer-2 scaling solutions
In 2024, the Layer-2 scaling solutions sector will see several innovative projects that enhance blockchain network performance. RISE Chain, with its 'Layer2 + Parallel EVM' architecture, has attracted investment from Vitalik Buterin, aiming to improve performance and EVM compatibility. Taiko focuses on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-Rollups) to enhance transaction privacy and efficiency, while Mantle has made new advances in cross-chain interoperability and scalability.
2025 trends:
Enhanced ZK-Rollup: Layer-2 solutions based on ZK-Rollup will be more widely used, enhancing privacy and scalability while reducing transaction costs.
Interoperability and cross-chain technology: Interoperability between Layer-2 networks will become a focus, developing more complex bridge technologies to ensure seamless asset transfers.
User experience optimization: Layer-2 will further improve user experience, attracting more non-technical users through more intuitive interfaces and processes.
Performance optimization and cost reduction: Layer-2 will continue to optimize performance and lower the deployment and maintenance costs of blockchain networks.
3. DeFi 2.0
In 2024, several new projects will be launched in the DeFi 2.0 sector, promoting the integration of decentralized finance with real-world assets (RWA) and improving capital efficiency. Aave V3 introduces cross-chain liquidity and efficient collateral usage, while Uniswap v4 optimizes liquidity pools and enhances trading efficiency. MakerDAO promotes the integration of DeFi with traditional finance by incorporating RWA such as bonds and real estate into the collateral pool of the stablecoin Dai.
2025 trends:
RWA integration and DeFi fusion: More traditional assets will connect with DeFi protocols through tokenization, driving the development of decentralized finance.
Innovative lending mechanisms: DeFi protocols will innovate lending mechanisms, improving capital efficiency and liquidity.
Cross-chain interoperability: The maturity of cross-chain technology will facilitate the flow of assets between different blockchains, promoting further integration of the DeFi ecosystem.
4. Stablecoins and payments
In 2024, with the large-scale growth of the crypto market, the stablecoin and payment sector first attracted the attention of Wall Street capital. Ethena partnered with BlackRock to launch USDb, PayPal collaborated with Ernst & Young to complete business remittances through PYUSD, promoting the use of stablecoins in global payments. The decentralized stablecoin project Usual, backed by real-world assets (RWA), recently announced a $10 million Series A funding led by Binance Labs and Kraken Ventures.
2025 trends:
Increased institutional participation: Traditional financial institutions will further engage in stablecoin issuance, promoting the popularization and application of stablecoins.
Decentralized cross-border payment solutions: Stablecoins will become the core of cross-border payments, providing low-cost and high-efficiency payment solutions.
Diverse applications of stablecoins: Stablecoins tailored for specific industries or uses will become more diverse, such as supply chain finance and travel payments.
5. Decentralized science (DeSci)
In 2024, the decentralized science field continued to innovate, with VitaDAO and MoleculeDAO promoting transparency in scientific research and community governance by converting intellectual property (IP) of scientific research into NFTs on-chain. Catalyst and Bio Protocol focus on advancing the application of blockchain technology in scientific commercialization.
2025 trends:
Expansion into interdisciplinary fields: DeSci will expand its applications to more fields such as physics and chemistry, promoting interdisciplinary scientific collaboration.
Data openness and transparency: More scientific data will be recorded on-chain, enhancing data transparency and promoting reproducibility and verifiable research.
Smart contract applications: Smart contracts will play an important role in scientific collaboration, ensuring fair distribution of research outcomes.
6. Modular blockchain infrastructure
In 2024, modular blockchain infrastructure made significant progress, with projects like Gelato, Caldera, and AltLayer offering flexible modular solutions, while Hyperlane and Polyhedra are dedicated to enhancing blockchain interoperability.
2025 trends:
Widespread modular applications: Modular infrastructure will become more widespread, adapting to the specific needs of various blockchain applications.
Privacy and security: Privacy protection will become core to modular blockchains, with zero-knowledge proof technology enhancing data privacy and transaction security.
Scalability and cost-effectiveness: Modular designs will promote blockchain scalability, reduce costs, and improve network performance.
7. Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN)
The DePIN sector welcomed several new projects in 2024, including Roam, World Mobile, and Spheron, promoting decentralized network services and resource sharing.
2025 trends:
Market penetration expansion: DePIN projects will gain broader applications in energy, communications, and other fields.
Deepening corporate collaboration: More traditional enterprises will cooperate with DePIN projects to promote the application of technology in practical scenarios.
Technological optimization and standardization: DePIN technology will continue to optimize, attracting more capital inflow and promoting project diversification.
8. Tokenization of real-world assets (RWA)
In 2024, several innovative projects will emerge in the RWA field, with MakerDAO and Franklin Templeton exploring the tokenization of traditional assets such as bonds and real estate. rwa.xyz focuses on tokenizing non-traditional assets like gold and artworks, providing new investment channels for investors.
2025 trends:
More asset tokenization: In 2025, it is expected that more types of tokenized assets will emerge, including commodities and assets from emerging markets.
Deep integration of DeFi and RWA: The further integration of RWA and DeFi will drive the emergence of more innovative financial products.
Compliance and risk management: As the scale of RWA expands, compliance and risk management will become focal points, driving more institutional participation.
