Written by: Lei, Golden Finance
In 2025, multiple key tracks in the decentralized field will usher in further maturity and innovation. With the continuous breakthroughs in technology, the industry has a strong momentum of development, and the application scenarios and market demand in various fields are also growing. In 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 continuous optimization of modular infrastructure. These trends not only represent innovations at the technical level, but also demonstrate the wide application of blockchain in various industries and huge market potential.
1. AI x Blockchain
In 2024, the combination of AI and blockchain has become the forefront of technological innovation, and many new projects have emerged. Eliza Framework, launched by Eliza Labs, provides an open source technology framework that supports the creation, deployment and management of intelligent AI agents on different platforms, and integrates with blockchains such as Solana to promote the development of autonomous AI agents in decentralized finance. In addition, Virtuals Protocol was launched on the Ethereum L2 Base platform, allowing users to create and profit from tokenized AI agents. These AI agents can not only interact with users through text, voice and 3D animation, but also open up new revenue opportunities.
Trends in 2025:
The growth of autonomous AI agents: AI agents will gradually perform tasks independently in areas such as financial transactions, content creation and social interaction, promoting the popularity of decentralized AI applications.
Further integration of AI and DeFi: More AI-driven DeFi applications will emerge, enhancing the ability to automate investment, credit scoring and risk management.
AI-driven decentralized governance: The application of AI in DAOs and decentralized organizations will become more extensive to coordinate and manage community decisions.
Privacy and security concerns: With the in-depth application of AI in blockchain, privacy protection and data security will become the focus, promoting the research and development of new technologies to ensure the credibility of agents.
2. Layer-2Scaling Solutions
In 2024, the field of Layer-2 scaling solutions will usher in multiple innovative projects to promote the improvement of blockchain network performance. RISE Chain attracted Vitalik Buterin's investment with its "Layer2 + Parallel EVM" architecture, aiming to improve performance and EVM compatibility. Taiko focuses on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-Rollups) to improve transaction privacy and efficiency, while Mantle has made new progress in cross-chain interoperability and scalability.
Trends in 2025:
ZK-Rollup Enhancement: Layer-2 solutions based on ZK-Rollup will be more widely used, improving privacy and scalability while reducing transaction costs.
Interoperability and cross-chain technology: Interoperability between Layer-2 networks will become a focus, and more sophisticated bridging technology will be developed to ensure seamless asset transfer.
User experience optimization: Layer-2 will further improve the user experience and attract more non-technical users through more intuitive interfaces and operation processes.
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 be launched in the DeFi 2.0 field to promote the combination of decentralized finance and real-world assets (RWA) and improve capital efficiency. Aave V3 introduces cross-chain liquidity and efficient collateral use, while Uniswap v4 optimizes liquidity pools and enhances transaction efficiency. MakerDAO promotes the integration of DeFi and traditional finance by incorporating RWAs such as bonds and real estate into the collateral pool of stablecoin Dai.
Trends in 2025:
RWA integration and DeFi integration: More traditional assets will be connected to DeFi protocols through tokenization, promoting the development of decentralized finance.
Innovative lending mechanism: DeFi protocols will innovate lending mechanisms to improve capital efficiency and liquidity.
Cross-chain interoperability: The maturity of cross-chain technology will promote the flow of assets between different blockchains and promote further integration of the DeFi ecosystem.
4.Stablecoins and payments
In 2024, with the massive growth of the crypto market, stablecoins and payment tracks first gained the favor of Wall Street capital. Ethena cooperated with BlackRock to launch USDb, and PayPal and Ernst & Young cooperated to complete commercial remittances through PYUSD, promoting the application of stablecoins in global payments. Usual, a decentralized stablecoin project collateralized by real-world assets (RWA), recently announced that it has received a $10 million Series A financing led by Binance Labs and Kraken Ventures. Trends in 2025: Increasing institutional participation: Traditional financial institutions will further participate in the issuance of stablecoins, 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 efficient payment solutions. Diversified applications of stablecoins: Stablecoins for specific industries or purposes will become more diversified, such as supply chain finance and tourism payments.
5. Decentralized Science (DeSci)
In 2024, the decentralized science field continues to innovate. VitaDAO and MoleculeDAO will promote scientific research transparency and community governance by converting intellectual property (IP) of scientific research into NFT on the chain. Catalyst and Bio Protocol focus on promoting the application of blockchain technology in scientific commercialization.
Trends in 2025:
Expansion of interdisciplinary fields:DeSci will expand its application to more fields such as physics and chemistry, promoting interdisciplinary scientific cooperation.
Data openness and transparency:More scientific data will be put on the chain to improve data transparency and promote reproducibility and verification research.
Smart Contract Applications:Smart contracts will play an important role in scientific research cooperation and ensure fair distribution of scientific research results.
6.Modular Blockchain Infrastructure
Modular blockchain infrastructure has made significant progress in 2024. Projects such as Gelato, Caldera and AltLayer provide flexible modular solutions, while Hyperlane and Polyhedra are committed to improving blockchain interoperability.
Trends in 2025:
Popularization of Modular Applications: Modular infrastructure will become more popular and adapt to the specific needs of more blockchain applications.
Privacy and Security: Privacy protection will become the core of modular blockchains, and zero-knowledge proof technology will enhance data privacy and transaction security.
Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Modular design will promote the scalability of blockchains, reduce costs, and improve network performance.
7. Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN)
The DePIN track welcomed several new projects in 2024, including Roam, World Mobile and Spheron, to promote decentralized network services and computing resource sharing.
Trends in 2025:
Market penetration expansion: DePIN projects will be more widely used in energy, communications and other fields.
Deepening corporate cooperation: More traditional companies will cooperate with DePIN projects to promote the application of technology in actual scenarios.
Technology optimization and standardization: DePIN technology will continue to be optimized, attract more capital inflows, and promote project diversification.
8. Tokenized Real World Assets (RWA)
In 2024, several innovative projects emerged in the RWA field, and MakerDAO and Franklin Templeton began to explore the tokenization of traditional assets such as bonds and real estate. rwa.xyz focuses on tokenizing non-traditional assets such as gold and art to provide investors with new investment channels.
Trends in 2025:
More asset tokenization: In 2025, more types of tokenized assets are expected to emerge, including commodities and assets in emerging markets.
Deep integration of DeFi and RWA: The further integration of RWA and DeFi will promote the emergence of more innovative financial products.
Compliance and risk management: As the scale of RWA expands, compliance and risk management will become the focus of attention, driving more institutional participation.
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