In Part 1, we covered six big crypto trends already transforming 2025 — from home mining’s return to AI-powered DeFi. Now it’s time to go deeper. Here are four quieter shifts happening right now that could matter even more in the long run. In Part 1, we covered six big crypto trends already transforming 2025 — from home mining’s return to AI-powered DeFi. Part 1 Now it’s time to go deeper. Here are four quieter shifts happening right now that could matter even more in the long run. Before the Window Closes Before the Window Closes The year 2025 began with loud trends like AI and memecoins, but the real transformation is happening behind the scenes. Hype is fading, and real technology is taking its place. It’s no longer about tokens for the sake of tokens — it's about tools that deliver real value. Decentralized social networks are becoming usable. Web3 gaming is starting to work. Stablecoins are growing through real use, not noise. AI is now a core part of blockchain infrastructure. The window of opportunity is still open, but not for much longer… The window of opportunity is still open, but not for much longer… Decentralized Social Media: Finally a Real Alternative? Decentralized Social Media: Finally a Real Alternative? Decentralized social networks have been hyped for years, but poor UX and lack of incentives kept users on Twitter and Instagram. That’s starting to change. Farcaster, built on Ethereum, is gaining traction with around 55 000 daily active users and over 300 000 signups by mid-2025. It focuses on portable identity—your username, followers, and content belong to you and work across all apps built on the protocol. Clients like Warpcast offer login via crypto wallets, encrypted messaging, and token-gated tools for creators. Lens Protocol follows a similar model with more emphasis on content monetization. Developers are jumping in with over 150 apps built on Farcaster, including micro-forums, reputation layers, and NFT-based publishing. One popular tool, Jam, lets users create token-based communities with no code required. What’s different now is the focus on functionality instead of token hype — algorithm choice, censorship resistance, and real user ownership. Initiatives like Free Our Feeds are also working on transparency and portable algorithms. Mass adoption is still a way off. Wallets are required, onboarding is rough, and network effects are limited. But this time, growth is real and not driven by speculation. Gaming Studios Enter Web3. Slowly, But Seriously Gaming Studios Enter Web3. Slowly, But Seriously The 2021 Web3 gaming boom was driven by hype, not experience—and it collapsed quickly. In 2025, real studios are entering the space more carefully, with a focus on utility over speculation. Indie games like Shrapnel and Illuvium are integrating asset ownership, on-chain tournaments, and staking directly into gameplay. Players can earn, trade, or stake items across games — usually as NFTs or tokenized assets. A key shift: major engines like Unity and Unreal now support blockchain out of the box, with plugins for wallet login, NFT minting, and decentralized storage. This lowers the barrier for studios to experiment. Even the Epic Games Store lists Web3 titles — not out of ideology, but market demand. A key shift: major engines like Unity and Unreal now support blockchain out of the box, with plugins for wallet login, NFT minting, and decentralized storage. Some traditional publishers are testing token mechanics quietly. Ubisoft and Nexon are experimenting but holding off public launches until the UX improves. Gamer skepticism remains high, and studios are cautious. A new development: some Web3 games are using decentralized compute for hosting. Instead of AWS, games use peer-to-peer lobbies or edge networks like Aleph.im. This brings decentralization beyond assets — into infrastructure. The lesson: don’t repeat the last cycle. Skip the token-first approach. Build fun, useful mechanics that work even without crypto. That’s the path forward — and studios know it The lesson: don’t repeat the last cycle. Skip the token-first approach. Build fun, useful mechanics that work even without crypto. That’s the path forward — and studios know it Stablecoins: Growing, But Not Exploding (Yet) Stablecoins: Growing, But Not Exploding (Yet) Stablecoins are still the backbone of DeFi and crypto payments. In 2025, their usage is growing — but more slowly and unevenly than bullish projections predicted. According to J.P. Morgan, global stablecoin volume is on track to hit $500 bln by 2028. That’s strong, but far below earlier forecasts of $2–4 trln. What’s holding things back? Mostly regulation, limited payment usage, and poor UX outside crypto-native apps. $500 bln by 2028 Most of the current demand — about 94 % — still comes from crypto trading and DeFi protocols. Only around 6 % is linked to real-world payments. That’s roughly $15 bln in actual payment volume, spread across remittances, e-commerce, and payroll. 6 % 6 % But there are signs of progress. Meta has previously tested crypto payments via the Novi wallet on WhatsApp in the U.S., and as of Q2 2025, is reportedly exploring new stablecoin integrations — possibly with USDC — in WhatsApp and Instagram, according to industry sources. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has already approved 12 stablecoin-related firms, with over 40 more under review. 12 12 USDC and USDT remain dominant, but regional players like FDUSD (regulated in Hong Kong) and GHO (launched by Aave) are gaining ground in niche markets. One underrated fact: Circle now issues USDC natively on 12 chains, and its off-ramps include direct ACH and SEPA transfers — no exchange needed. If you're a beginner looking to experiment with stablecoins for payments, start small If you're a beginner looking to experiment with stablecoins for payments, start small Use non-custodial wallets like Zeal or Unstoppable, and test bridging via protocols like Across or Synapse. Just don’t expect instant adoption — stablecoin growth is real, but gradual, and increasingly shaped by compliance. AI-Powered On-Chain Surveillance Is Coming AI-Powered On-Chain Surveillance Is Coming It’s not about privacy. It’s about control, compliance, and risk scoring. As tokenized assets like bonds and RWAs scale, regulators and institutions demand transparency. Tools like Chainalysis, TRM Labs, and AI-native players like Gaianet are using machine learning to monitor wallets, detect fraud, and rate counterparty risk in real time. In practice, your wallet history could soon impact your access to loans, asset purchases, or DAO voting. Reputation-based lending already exists in protocols like Goldfinch, but formal scoring is coming to KYC-aligned DeFi. Insider detail: these systems are being tested on rollups like Base and zkSync, where low fees enable large-scale real-time monitoring. Insider detail: these systems are being tested on rollups like Base and zkSync, where low fees enable large-scale real-time monitoring. Some AI agents don’t just flag activity — they act. Bots can freeze tokens, block transfers, or trigger manual reviews based on on-chain behavior. DeFi still markets itself as open and neutral, but AI is quietly adding credit scores and compliance logic behind the scenes. It could help crypto scale — but at the cost of invisible, automated oversight. The Quiet Phase Is Over. Now Comes the Lock-In The Quiet Phase Is Over. Now Comes the Lock-In The biggest changes in crypto are happening quietly but reshaping everything. Decentralized social platforms like Farcaster and Lens are giving users real ownership instead of mimicking Twitter. Web3 gaming is focusing on utility, not hype, solving real problems like asset control and player economies. Stablecoins are growing in regulated markets, serving as reliable bridges between banks and blockchains. AI is quietly transforming crypto from the inside. The era of open experimentation is closing. As regulation and institutions move in, crypto is becoming more like fintech. There’s still time to influence where it goes, but not much. Spot anything here that could blow up faster than people expect? See something missing? Let’s talk. See something missing? Let’s talk. Read Part 1 of our crypto trends review, and subscribe to my blogto stay on the edge of crypto, AI, and Web3. Part 1 my blog
