Written by: Lei, Golden Finance
In 2025, several key tracks in the decentralized field will see further maturity and innovation. As technology continues to advance, the industry will thrive, with increasing application scenarios and market demand across various fields. In this year, we will witness trends such as the integration of AI and blockchain, deep integration of DeFi and real-world assets (RWA), and the continuous optimization of modular infrastructure. These trends not only represent innovations at the technological level but also showcase the widespread application and immense market potential of blockchain across various industries.
1. AI and blockchain integration (AI x Blockchain)
In 2024, the integration of AI and blockchain will become the frontier of technological innovation, with several new projects emerging. The Eliza Framework from Eliza Labs provides an open-source technology framework that supports the creation, deployment, and management of smart AI agents across different platforms, integrated with blockchains like Solana, promoting the development of autonomous AI agents in decentralized finance. Additionally, the Virtuals Protocol will launch on the Ethereum L2 Base platform, allowing 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.
Trends for 2025:
Growth of autonomous AI agents: AI agents will gradually execute tasks independently in fields such as financial transactions, content creation, and social interactions, promoting the proliferation of decentralized AI applications.
Further integration of AI and DeFi: More AI-driven DeFi applications will emerge, enhancing automated investment, credit scoring, and risk management capabilities.
AI-driven decentralized governance: The application of AI in DAOs and decentralized organizations will become more widespread, used for coordinating and managing community decisions.
Focus on privacy and security: As AI is increasingly applied 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 field will witness several innovative projects, enhancing blockchain network performance. RISE Chain attracted investment from Vitalik Buterin with its 'Layer2 + Parallel EVM' architecture aimed at improving performance and EVM compatibility. Taiko focuses on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-Rollups), enhancing transaction privacy and efficiency, while Mantle makes new advancements in cross-chain interoperability and scalability.
Trends for 2025:
ZK-Rollup enhancement: Layer-2 solutions based on ZK-Rollup will be more widely applied, improving privacy and scalability while reducing transaction costs.
Interoperability and cross-chain technology: Interoperability between Layer-2 networks will become a focal point, developing more complex bridging 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 workflows.
Performance optimization and cost reduction: Layer-2 will continue to optimize performance and reduce the deployment and maintenance costs of blockchain networks.
3. DeFi 2.0
In 2024, several new projects will launch in the DeFi 2.0 field, driving 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 like bonds and real estate into the collateral pool for the stablecoin Dai.
Trends for 2025:
Integration of RWA and DeFi: More traditional assets will connect with DeFi protocols through tokenization, promoting the development of decentralized finance.
Innovative lending mechanisms: DeFi protocols will innovate lending mechanisms to enhance capital efficiency and liquidity.
Cross-chain interoperability: The maturity of cross-chain technology will facilitate asset flow between different blockchains, promoting further integration of the DeFi ecosystem.
4. Stablecoins and payments
In 2024, as the cryptocurrency market experiences significant growth, the stablecoin and payment sector will first attract Wall Street capital. Ethena collaborates with BlackRock to launch USDb, while PayPal partners with Ernst & Young to complete commercial remittances through PYUSD, promoting the application of stablecoins in global payments. The decentralized stablecoin project Usual, backed by real-world assets (RWA), recently announced a $10 million Series A funding round led by Binance Labs and Kraken Ventures.
Trends for 2025:
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 central to cross-border payments, providing low-cost and efficient payment solutions.
Diverse applications of stablecoins: Stablecoins tailored for specific industries or uses will become more diverse, such as supply chain finance and tourism payments.
5. Decentralized Science (DeSci)
In 2024, the decentralized science field will continue to innovate, with VitaDAO and MoleculeDAO transforming the intellectual property (IP) of scientific research into NFTs on-chain, promoting research transparency and community governance. Catalyst and Bio Protocol focus on promoting the application of blockchain technology in the commercialization of science.
Trends for 2025:
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 on-chain, increasing data transparency and promoting reproducible and verifiable research.
Smart contract applications: Smart contracts will play a significant role in scientific collaboration, ensuring fair distribution of research outcomes.
6. Modular blockchain infrastructure
Modular blockchain infrastructure made significant progress in 2024, with projects like Gelato, Caldera, and AltLayer offering flexible modular solutions, while Hyperlane and Polyhedra work to enhance blockchain interoperability.
Trends for 2025:
Popularity of modular applications: Modular infrastructure will become more prevalent, adapting to the specific needs of various blockchain applications.
Privacy and security: Privacy protection will become central to modular blockchains, and zero-knowledge proof technology will enhance data privacy and transaction security.
Scalability and cost-effectiveness: Modular design will promote blockchain scalability, reduce costs, and improve network performance.
7. Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)
The DePIN track will welcome several new projects in 2024, including Roam, World Mobile, and Spheron, promoting decentralized network services and shared computing resources.
Trends for 2025:
Market penetration expansion: DePIN projects will gain broader applications in fields such as energy and communications.
Deepening corporate collaboration: More traditional enterprises will collaborate with DePIN projects to promote technology application in practical scenarios.
Technical optimization and standardization: DePIN technology will continue to optimize, attracting more capital inflows 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 beginning to explore the tokenization of traditional assets like bonds and real estate. rwa.xyz focuses on tokenizing non-traditional assets such as gold and art, providing new investment channels for investors.
Trends for 2025:
More asset tokenization: By 2025, more types of tokenized assets are expected to 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 institutions to participate.
