A new wave of cryptocurrency trends? From gaming to community, all are ready.
For a long time, Web3 has struggled to break through the 'niche' limitations. Whether it’s cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or blockchain games, despite years of development, it has not managed to gain large-scale visibility in the mainstream. However, Rebecca Liao, founder and CEO of Saga, predicts that 2025 may become a critical turning point: once blockchain infrastructure matures further, coupled with potentially favorable regulatory environments, the '6 major applications' of the Web3 industry may see an explosive growth next year! Below, we will analyze which innovative models have the opportunity to gain acceptance from the general public first, focusing on gaming, community, and liquidity solutions.
1. The application of AI in gaming and interactive scenarios
In the past, people's imagination of 'AI + blockchain' largely focused on payment integration. However, the most grounded integration of AI and Web3 is actually in the gaming industry. Currently, many blockchain game development processes have incorporated AI-generated art assets or NPCs (non-player characters), enhancing game depth and experience. Particularly on game platforms with Layer1 characteristics, AI agents can even proactively create independent Layer1s within public chain architectures like Saga, resulting in truly autonomous virtual worlds. Imagine a game world driven by AI where players can interact with intelligent NPCs, creating an experience completely different from traditional online games.
With the proliferation of AI tools, the creative threshold for small developers has significantly lowered. Rebecca speculates that most blockchain games will incorporate AI agents next year; these AIs may actively create 'autonomous swarms' on-chain, producing experiences vastly different from traditional gaming. If this initiative is successfully implemented, Web3 games will undoubtedly become the first large-scale breakthrough into the mainstream market for the crypto industry.
2. Web3 games maturing, well-known studios entering the fray
Rebecca believes that 2025 is a critical turning point for blockchain games: many traditional giants and independent studios are completing the 'experimental phase' of their first batch of Web3 works, now entering a more mature level of game design and operation. The gaming market has faced headwinds over the past year, characterized by a 'lack of breakthrough themes and stagnant user growth.' The combination of blockchain and NFT games could bring new business models and community vitality to the industry.
Blockchain games, which feature 'player-owned assets' and 'secondary market trading,' can further reduce player churn and increase engagement. When traditional gaming companies realize that Web3 technology is not just about financial speculation but can also enable diversified payments and community co-creation within games, they may fully embrace the 'chain gaming era.' Rebecca asserts that if next year's wave of 'premium chain games' receives enthusiastic market feedback, true mainstream users will also be brought into the Web3 world.
3. Meme and 'Degen Asset' culture
The crypto industry has its unique 'cultural genome,' including the so-called 'Degen' trend derived from meme coins or DeFi. Many Web3 communities attract new users to participate in discussions and 'invest to test the waters' through meme explosions or community co-created tokens. Although traditional finance often regards this as 'bubbles,' such memes can foster a unique cultural sense of belonging, becoming a strong driver for crypto marketing.
Rebecca mentions that some AI agents spontaneously issue meme coins on public chains, successfully creating viral 'community events.' These memes and 'Degen assets' may lack solid commercial foundations, but they embody rich social dynamics and attract young demographics. The power of community consensus is often immense in the Web3 world, and it indicates that similar meme products will continue to emerge in 2025, deepening the general public's experience with crypto.
4. The fusion of advanced in-game marketplaces and DeFi
In the next generation of blockchain gaming markets, in-game marketplaces will elevate into 'sovereign economies.' Players build their own markets, using DeFi modules for asset collateral, lending, or liquidity mining. Thus, the entire game's items and characters can not only be consumed within the game but also circulate in a broader decentralized financial environment, generating economic returns. In other words, the market behavior of games will perfectly integrate with the open financial infrastructure of blockchain, transforming games from mere 'entertainment' into a vast economic network of virtual and real interactions.
5. Advanced liquidity solutions driving cross-chain interoperability
Addressing the 'fragmentation' of blockchain liquidity is also key to achieving large-scale implementation next year. Rebecca believes that only by enabling asset transfers and interoperability between chains can consumers truly enjoy the experience of 'free flow on any platform and any token.' Whether through cross-chain bridges or layers like LayerZero, these will play a crucial role in 2025. Those who can provide stable and user-friendly liquidity infrastructure will rise to leadership positions and drive the entire industry towards prosperity.
6. Trends post-U.S. elections, regulatory warming brings 'explosive growth'
The last key variable is the regulatory atmosphere after the U.S. elections. Rebecca speculates that if Trump (or any leader advocating for crypto) returns to power, it could create a more lenient and friendly regulatory environment, including the SEC redefining token properties and establishing regulatory sandboxes, which would open the door for Web3. Once regulations are relaxed, funds and businesses will flood in, inevitably igniting the next wave of large-scale applications. Especially since the U.S. market remains an important indicator of global investment and technological innovation, if the winds change significantly in 2025, the Web3 industry will witness not just a slight rebound but an explosion on the level of a 'super bull market.'
Overall, Web3 is not only about speculation and financial investment; it is making real attempts at 'user experience' across various aspects such as gaming, community, NFTs, and ecosystem infrastructure. If the market can seize the turning point of liquidity infrastructure and regulation, Web3 in 2025 may witness a true moment of crossing the 'niche' with scaled user services and new business models that will shake the mainstream market.
Rebecca also emphasizes that success ultimately depends on the team's understanding of product experience and community interaction; after all, for the crypto industry to genuinely 'fly into the homes of ordinary people' in the next decade, it must present applications that meet daily needs, rather than fall back into speculative trends.
[Disclaimer] The market carries risks; investment should be cautious. This article does not constitute investment advice, and users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions presented here align with their specific circumstances. Investing based on this, the responsibility lies with the individual.
'Can Web3 be accepted by the mainstream? Experts: '6 Predictions' Industry is set to explode next year!' This article was first published in 'Crypto City.'