VanEck projected significant developments for the crypto industry in 2025, ranging from a dual-peaked bull market to the US adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.
The firm’s 2025 predictions report envisions milestones that could redefine the role of digital assets in global finance, driven by regulatory clarity and institutional momentum.
Bull market peaks and strategic US adoption
VanEck forecasts a dual-peaked bull market, with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) reaching new highs in the first quarter before a mid-year consolidation. Additionally, a recovery in the fourth quarter is expected to drive both assets past their earlier peaks.
The firm anticipates Bitcoin hitting $180,000, Ethereum climbing to $6,000, and projects like Solana (SOL) and Sui reaching $500 and $10, respectively. The report also predicts a groundbreaking shift in US policy toward crypto.
Under the Trump administration, crypto-friendly leaders are poised to integrate Bitcoin into federal and state-level strategic reserves. States like Texas and Florida may establish Bitcoin holdings independently, while federal initiatives could leverage the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund.
Regulatory clarity is expected to attract global developers, boosting the US share of crypto talent from 19% to 25%. The firm also predicted that the US share of the global Bitcoin mining hash rate would rise to 35%, bolstered by regulatory clarity and cheap energy.
VanEck further projects a 43% increase in corporate Bitcoin holdings, with publicly listed companies surpassing 1.1 million BTC, overtaking the estimated holdings of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. The firm believes this trend will solidify America’s leadership in the global Bitcoin economy.
DeFi, Tokenized securities, and NFT revival
DeFi is poised for record-breaking growth, with DEX trading volumes projected to hit $4 trillion and total value locked rebounding to $200 billion.
Ethereum’s role as a settlement layer will strengthen as its blob space fees generate $1 billion by year-end, driven by Layer-2 rollups and high-value applications like tokenized securities.
Tokenized securities, an emerging asset class, are expected to exceed $50 billion in value as blockchain technology streamlines equity and debt issuance. VanEck predicted that platforms like Coinbase could even tokenize their own shares, setting a new standard for on-chain financial instruments.
The NFT market, which suffered significant declines in recent years, is forecast to recover to $30 billion in trading volumes. VanEck attributes this resurgence to the growing cultural significance of established collections like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club, along with innovative projects like Pudgy Penguins transitioning into consumer brands.
VanEck’s predictions envision a year of transformation, where regulatory progress, technological innovation, and institutional adoption converge to shape the future of digital assets. The firm’s insights highlight the accelerating integration of cryptocurrencies into global finance and culture, positioning 2025 as a pivotal year for the industry.
