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Onchain’s 39 Web3 Predictions for 2025

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Jan 07, 2025

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Finally, the AI boom is spilling over to crypto. It may seem like AI is the only relevant tech in 2025. If that’s so, you’ll wonder why NFTs and DeFi are the areas most invaded by the digital minions, and how. But as an entrepreneur, founder, or business you should look further. Our researchers and other experts forecast what’ll happen in DePIN, who will lead in crypto, what changes the U.S. election results will induce, and more.
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Max Kordek — President, Onchain Foundation

The Trump Administration and New SEC Leadership: A Golden Era for Crypto

The largest democracy has voted a crypto-friendly president into office. Not only that, the new SEC chair also takes a positive stance on the decentralized currencies. The question isn’t if, but how strongly this will impact Web3 advancement across the globe. Max Kordek, co-founder of Lisk and president of The Onchain Foundation, shares his prognosis and explains his optimism.

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Leon Waidmann — Head of Research

Onchain AI Agents Will Be Web3 Entrepreneurs' Best Friend

AI agents are no longer just tools. They are autonomous actors in business and entertainment. Blockchain integration enables them to own assets, execute smart contracts, and power new digital economies. Head of Research at Onchain, Leon Waidmann, reveals why he believes onchain AI agents will become vital to Web3 in 2025. It’s a must-watch trend for innovators at the AI-blockchain frontier.

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Leon Waidmann — Head of Research

NFTs in 2025: The Renaissance Many Don’t See Coming

They were almost pronounced dead. Now, NFT trading volumes are up again. Resilient collections like CryptoPunks, Pudgy Penguins, and Bored Apes are driving momentum through their communities and strategic brand partnerships. Innovative utilities are gaining traction. These developments and changing U.S. regulations might set the stage for an NFT renaissance in 2025.

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Michał Moneta — Leader & Chief Strategy Officer

Web3 Cult of Personality — The Year of Reality Checks

Web3 thrives on iconic leaders who shape the latest narrative. In 2025, some will be put to the test: Can they prevail, deliver, or adapt? For founders, it may be time to decide whether to build a personal brand or serve humanity with an impactful product. Read what challenges Michal Moneta, Chief Strategy Officer at Onchain anticipates for Web3’s idols and how it might impact your decisions.

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Michał Moneta — Leader & Chief Strategy Officer

2025 = Make or Break Year for DePIN

DePIN could be Web3’s answer to critical global challenges — powering AI, storing endless data, and more. 2025 is the year to prove it can scale beyond Web3 and compete with Web2 giants. Michal analyses the global sentiment and the specific challenges around it. Will DePIN cross the adoption chasm and deliver on its promise, or will it fall short? This year may be decisive.

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Ananya Shrivastava — Research Analyst

When DeFi dApps Meet AI the Future is Ultra Smart

What if your financial portfolio could manage itself, adapt to market changes, and maximize your returns using AI? What if operating complex financial tools was as easy as using a social media app? Our top research analyst, Dr. Ananya Shrivastava, explores the convergence of AI and DeFi, where these scenarios become a reality. Read what you can expect already in 2025.

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Ananya Shrivastava — Research Analyst

Modular Blockchains’ Uncompromised Scaling Will Win the Year

Modular blockchain will come with a twist: they're putting the consumer first. And that’s not the only advantage evergreen idea offers. Dr. Shrivastava explores the key innovations driving this trend, including data availability layers and sovereign rollups. She’ll show you the opportunities and challenges of building in this new modular world. Read why 2025 is bound to be a breakout year for consumer adoption of blockchain technology.

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Kade Garrett — Blockchain Writer

Crypto Prediction Markets Go Mainstream

Blockchain-compatible prediction markets have been around for years. From crypto prices, whether forecasts, to celebrity pregnancies, these markets monetize prediction data. Recently, Polymarket’s U.S. election betting volume and accuracy gained massive attention. So, are prediction markets the next big Web3 thing? Not sure, but they could help businesses throughout the world.

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Guest Authors — Stacy Muur & The DeFi Investor

A Time for Growth - Predictions from Web3 Experts

When it comes to 2025 predictions, they are plenty and diverse. But some topics sweep across the entire Web3 landscape as if nothing else mattered. One of them is, you guessed it, AI. This not-so-new form of so-called intelligence dominates all prophecies, no matter who presents them. It’s also the first thing experts mentioned when we asked for their forecasts. And then there was a lot more food for thought.

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Top 10 Predictions of the Report
  • AI agents continue to soar — but most won’t survive

    After early tests in 2024, autonomous AI bots will continue to scale rapidly in 2025. They’ll be a defining theme, but not all will thrive. Many will chase hype over substance.

  • Stablecoins surge in adoption

    Already gaining traction in 2024, stablecoin use will skyrocket in 2025 as major companies adopt them for near-instant, global payments, blurring lines between Web2 banking and DeFi.

  • AI-powered DeFi will rise

    Say goodbye to confusing yield farms. By 2025, “smart apps” will handle everything: customizing lending, staking, and trading strategies on your behalf.

  • U.S. pro-crypto climate continues to gain momentum

    Pro-crypto leadership in the United States will reignite an onchain finance boom: think tokenized government bonds, stablecoin-friendly policies, and a wave of new ICOs.

  • Adoption of blockchain-based identity solutions will increase

    As AI bots fill every corner of the internet, expect new “human-verification” systems — crypto’s answer to ensuring real people stand behind the wallets.

  • DePIN fights for mindshare

    In 2025, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure must compete with other real-world narratives, e.g., RWA, DeSci for investor attention. Only a few (if not only one) will emerge victorious.

  • NFTs make a comeback

    From high-profile partnerships to cutting-edge digital collectibles, NFTs are poised to break into mainstream culture. Just as CryptoPunks defined Ethereum, each major blockchain will foster its own iconic bluechip collection, cementing NFTs as pillars of the evolving digital economy.

  • Rise of modular blockchains continues

    Forget the one-size-fits-all approach. Developers will pick and choose specialized layers (data, execution, consensus) to build hyper-focused “sovereign” chains and dApps.

  • Corporate L2 explosion picks up pace

    Following Coinbase’s lead, companies from Sony to Deutsche Bank will roll out custom Layer-2 networks, making blockchain simple, user-centric, and brand-friendly.

  • The cult of personality tested

    In 2025, being a figurehead won’t be enough. Idols like Vitalik, Elon, and CZ must deliver real breakthroughs or risk fading away and deal with tougher market and community scrutiny. Hero status won’t last if they fail to adapt.

Led by

  • pp

    Leon Waidmann

    Head of Research

Conducted by

  • Ananya Shrivastava

    Ananya Shrivastava

    Research Analyst

  • Arin Soleymani

    Arin Soleymani

    Head of Business Development

  • Michał Moneta

    Michał Moneta

    Leader & Chief Strategy Officer

  • onchainheadshotkade

    Kade Garrett

    Blockchain Writer

  • max-kordek

    Max Kordek

    President

Contributors

  • Chris Braithwaite

    Chris Braithwaite

    Content & Technical Writer

  • Ruth M. Trucks

    Ruth M. Trucks

    Head of Content

  • veronica

    Veronica Kirin

    Content Writer

  • Lucas de Melo

    Lucas De Melo

    UX Designer

  • untitled-1

    Adewale Aloba

    Graphic Designer

  • Ashton Barger Headshot

    Ashton Barger

    Partnerships Manager

  • Boris Agatić

    Boris Agatić

    Data Scientist

Thought leaders

  • v1qmov_p_400x400

    Stacy Muur

    Web3 Researcher, Contributor at CuratedCrypto

  • alireza-ghods

    Alireza Ghods

    Co-Founder, NATIX Network

  • bu0ot06d_400x400

    The DeFi Investor

    Crypto Analyst and Newsletter Author with 13K subscribers

How did we approach the research?

The research was based on the "grounded theory." It means we had no specific presumptions before starting the work. The "business" part of the analysis relied primarily on qualitative research methods.

Methodology

Data Collection

  • We pulled onchain metrics (transaction volume, fees, market caps) from Dune Analytics and various public APIs.
  • Off-chain data — like venture capital reports, regulatory filings, and user adoption metrics — added broader context.

Expert Interviews & Thought Leadership

  • Our internal research team and select industry figures cross-checked raw data to spot emerging trends.
  • Targeted analysis helped us merge quantitative findings with qualitative insights.

Comparative Analysis

  • We examined historical patterns (2018–2024) to project potential scenarios for 2025.
  • Market shifts were benchmarked against parallel sectors (TradFi, AI) to highlight cross-sector synergies.

Review & Peer Feedback

  • Each prediction underwent multiple review rounds by Onchain’s analysts.
  • Forecasts were updated as fresh data or major events (e.g., regulatory changes) arose.

Research Limitations

  • Market Volatility: Sudden economic or geopolitical events can alter trends rapidly.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty: Shifting legal frameworks may redefine project viability and timelines.
  • Rapid Technological Changes: Emerging protocols or breakthroughs could outpace our current assumptions.
  • Data Reliability: Third-party APIs and self-reported metrics may be incomplete or inaccurate.
  • Subjective Interpretation: Despite best efforts, researcher bias can influence how data is analyzed.