Bitwise and CF Benchmarks predict crypto growth in ETFs, stablecoins, tokenization, and AI agents for 2025 - IcoHolder.
Two of the most prominent research-focused crypto firms, Bitwise Asset Management and CF Benchmarks, have unveiled predictions for 2025, revealing striking alignment on four transformative trends in the crypto landscape: exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stablecoins, asset tokenization, and crypto AI agents. These insights, rooted in the record-breaking momentum of 2024, paint a compelling picture of the digital asset market's evolution.
ETFs have already made headlines in 2024, with crypto ETFs amassing $35 billion since January. CF Benchmarks, owned by crypto exchange Kraken, attributes much of this success to institutional investors, with hedge funds holding nearly half of Bitcoin ETFs and over 23% of Ether ETFs. However, the firm predicts that investment advisors, who currently hold smaller shares, will dominate the market by 2025.
"Advisory firms’ share is expected to exceed 50% for both Bitcoin and Ether ETFs as the $88 trillion wealth management industry embraces digital assets," CF Benchmarks stated in its latest report.
Bitwise echoed this sentiment, forecasting that Bitcoin ETFs would attract even greater flows in 2025 compared to 2024. This surge, they argue, is driven by growing institutional demand and investors increasing their holdings in maturing ETF products.
Stablecoins, often seen as the bridge between traditional finance and the crypto world, are poised for a major leap forward. Bitwise highlighted that favorable legislation from the Trump administration, coupled with a bullish crypto market, will accelerate the adoption of stablecoins in 2025.
"Stablecoin assets under management (AUM) will double to $400 billion," Bitwise predicted, citing greater integration with fintech platforms and merchant ecosystems. CF Benchmarks offered a more conservative estimate, anticipating a 50% market growth to $300 billion. Despite differing projections, both firms agree that regulatory clarity will play a pivotal role in driving stablecoin adoption.
The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is rapidly gaining traction, with both firms identifying it as a critical growth area for 2025. Building on a 2022 Bank of America report that suggested asset tokenization could reach $16 trillion within 15 years, Bitwise and CF Benchmarks see 2025 as a turning point.
Bitwise forecasts that tokenized RWAs will exceed $50 billion in value by the end of 2025, citing increasing interest from Wall Street. "Wall Street is just beginning to wake up to tokenization," the company noted.
CF Benchmarks provided a more modest outlook, predicting a $30 billion market for tokenized assets but acknowledged that significant growth could accelerate in 2026 as infrastructure matures.
Perhaps the most futuristic of the trends, crypto AI agents are expected to redefine blockchain interactions. These autonomous systems, capable of launching and managing blockchain-based tokens, gained prominence in 2024 with applications like memecoins.
Bitwise predicts that AI agents will drive the next wave of memecoin mania, highlighting the success of "Clanker," an AI agent that has autonomously issued over 11,000 tokens.
CF Benchmarks offered a broader perspective, estimating that AI agents will account for over 10% of all on-chain activity in 2025, underscoring their potential beyond memecoins to include more sophisticated applications.
The alignment of Bitwise and CF Benchmarks on these four trends underscores the transformative potential of crypto ETFs, stablecoins, tokenization, and AI agents. As 2025 approaches, the crypto industry appears poised for another wave of innovation and adoption, with these key areas at the forefront of its evolution. Whether driven by regulatory clarity, institutional investment, or technological breakthroughs, the future of digital assets is set to be both dynamic and groundbreaking.
