- Andreessen Horowitz crypto analysis signals the year the world goes on-chain, transforming crypto from an experiment to a core economic pillar.
- Bitcoin now accounts for more than half of the entire crypto market.
- Big financial players are moving in, with Crypto ETFs tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum holding well over $170 billion in combined assets.
- Crypto can supply infrastructure (identity, ownership, payments) for AI ecosystems, and AI can be a killer app for crypto protocols.
In a sweeping and forward-looking move, leading Silicon Valley venture firm Andreessen Horowitz has declared the world of cryptocurrency is no longer just an experiment—it’s transforming into a major, mature economic force ready for mainstream adoption. Their recently released analysis signals a turning point for the entire digital-asset ecosystem. The firm describes 2025 as potentially “the year the world came on-chain,” signaling that crypto is shifting from niche to foundational.
A new era: crypto is growing up
Once seen as speculative, fringe or even revolutionary, crypto—led by the flagship Bitcoin—is increasingly showing signs of institutional maturity. According to the report, we’re witnessing more than hype; we’re seeing scales, infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and real-world adoption.
- Bitcoin now accounts for more than half of the entire crypto market.
- Stablecoins are rapidly catching up to traditional payment rails—think of payments giants like Visa—in transaction volumes.
- Developer activity, user numbers, and on-chain infrastructure are all hitting new highs.
- Regulators and institutional players appear to be engaging in earnest, rather than just watching from the sidelines.
These signals suggest the crypto industry is no longer playing at the edges—it’s moving into the centre of finance.
What the numbers reveal
Some of the most striking figures in the report point to just how far crypto has come:
- Developer momentum: Over 40,000 developers are active each month—evidence of sustained builder energy behind blockchains.
- User numbers: Mobile crypto wallet usage has climbed significantly (the firm has flagged this as a key metric to watch).
- Market size: The total crypto market cap recently surged past $4 trillion for the first time.
- Token dominance: Bitcoin remains the most dominant single crypto asset, representing more than 50 % of market share and ranking among the world’s top assets by value.
- Transaction and infrastructure throughput: Blockchain networks are now able to support thousands of transactions per second—closing in on legacy financial networks.
- Stablecoins: The adjusted transaction volume for stablecoins has surged dramatically, underscoring their growing role in payments and settlement.
These data points collectively illustrate a more mature, scalable, and interconnected crypto system. They reflect that crypto is no longer an isolated novelty—it’s increasingly embedded in financial infrastructure.
Institutions arrive in force
One of the most compelling take-aways: 2025 could be the year of institutional adoption for crypto. Big financial players aren’t just experimenting any more—they’re moving in.
- Institutional investment products: Crypto ETFs tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum now hold well over $170 billion in combined assets, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust alone owning more than $91 billion in BTC.
- Major firms incorporating crypto into their balance sheets: Companies like Strategy & (Bitcoin-heavy firm) now hold tens of millions of dollars in digital assets.
- Payments and fintech firms are adding crypto features: Firms including PayPal, Mastercard, Shopify and Stripe are increasingly integrating crypto rails and tokenized asset capabilities.
- Stablecoins for enterprise: Major issuers such as USDT and USDC are scaling fast; their issuers are ranked among the top holders of U.S. Treasuries.
- Real-world asset tokenization: On-chain tokenized bonds and Treasuries have ramped into the tens of billions, cementing crypto’s linkage to traditional finance.
These steps by institutions serve as powerful signals: crypto is not just speculative—it’s becoming embedded in mainstream finance’s plumbing.
Stablecoins, DeFi and the new rails
The report places a heavy emphasis on stablecoins as a bridging technology between crypto and traditional finance. Because they are pegged to fiat or another stable asset, and because transactions can be settled globally via blockchain, their usage is accelerating.
- Stablecoin transaction volume adjusted for bots and non-economic activity is now at unprecedented levels.
- They are increasingly used for payments, remittances and as a store of value—especially in countries with volatile currencies.
- Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization: Bonds, Treasuries and other assets are now being represented on-chain—bringing real economy assets into crypto ecosystems.
- Decentralized finance (DeFi) is expanding: DEX trading volumes are growing relative to centralized exchanges as traders and institutions move on-chain for transparency and scalability.
All of these trends signal that crypto infrastructure is evolving from what it once was—a speculative playground—into something with structural and productive utility.
Infrastructure & technological readiness
For crypto to scale, the underlying systems must be able to handle more users, more transactions, more value. According to the report, many blockchain networks are now “almost ready for prime time.”
- Transaction throughput on high-performance chains is reaching thousands of transactions per second (TPS), bringing them closer to the speeds required for large-scale financial systems.
- Growth of layer-2 networks: For example, Solana has emerged as a hub of activity—delivering billions in app revenue, lower fees and higher throughput.
- Privacy and scaling techniques: Zero-Knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) are gaining traction as a way to improve both privacy and scalability.
- Quantum-resilience concerns: There is growing awareness that a large portion of existing Bitcoin holdings remain in older wallets that may be vulnerable to quantum computing risks.
Altogether, the infrastructure seatbelt is now fastened—crypto is moving from experimental to enterprise-ready.
When crypto meets AI
Perhaps the most intriguing intersection highlighted in the report is the convergence of crypto and artificial intelligence (AI). The logic: crypto can supply infrastructure (identity, ownership, payments) for AI ecosystems, and AI can be a killer app for crypto protocols.
- Identity verification: As AI agents proliferate, proving a user or agent’s identity becomes vital. Crypto systems offer decentralized proof-of-personhood and unique identity frameworks.
- Ownership of digital work: With trillions of dollars expected to flow through AI tools over the coming years, tracking who owns what—models, data, content—becomes a critical issue. Crypto and blockchain can provide ledger-based ownership records.
- Payments for AI agents: As autonomous agents act on behalf of users, micro-payments, settlements and token-based incentives will become central—and crypto is built for that.
- Investment and startup flows: The report notes around 30 % of new crypto venture-funding deals now involve AI-related startups, pointing clearly to the merging of the two fields.
In short: the open internet of the future may well be one where money and intelligence flow freely—and crypto + AI is the infrastructure underpinning that.
U.S. regulatory momentum and the policy edge
A third key ingredient in crypto’s maturation is regulation. Historically, unclear or heavy-handed regulation has been a major drag on adoption. The report argues that recent regulatory and legislative developments in the U.S. are giving the industry a clearer path forward.
- U.S. agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are taking new stances—e.g., distinguishing code from securities, offering safe harbour guidance, and engaging with crypto-specific frameworks.
- The broader policy environment is shifting: Recent executive orders and legislative efforts (for instance the GENIUS Act) send signals of openness rather than hostility.
- The combination of regulatory clarity and infrastructure readiness is making the crypto industry more investable for traditional players.
This doesn’t mean the regulatory picture is perfectly settled—but it is clearly improving. And that shift alone is enough to allow the industry to accelerate.
What still needs fixing & where the risks lie
Despite the upbeat tone, the report doesn’t sugar-coat the challenges. Several key issues remain before crypto can fully realise its potential:
- Privacy: As on-chain adoption increases, privacy concerns (both personal and institutional) need to be addressed.
- Scalability: While throughput has improved significantly, large-scale global adoption still demands higher speeds, lower fees and better UX.
- AI integration risk: Making crypto and AI systems work together is far from trivial and presents both technical and business model risk.
- Regulatory uncertainty: Even though momentum is positive, regulatory frameworks are still evolving—and a misstep could slow growth.
- Legacy vulnerabilities: Some older crypto holdings and wallets remain insecure or at risk (e.g., quantum threats).
- Token economics and sustainability: Many tokens still don’t have clear real-world utility or revenue models—especially in the meme-coin or speculative category, which the report sees as a sign of weak regulation.
The takeaway: while crypto is far more mature than it was, it is not yet without wrinkles. The next phase of the journey will test its resilience.
Disclaimer: CryptopianNews shares this for learning and info only. It’s not meant to be financial or investment advice. Crypto markets change a lot and move quickly. Investing in them can be risky. You should always look into things yourself. Talk to a trained financial advisor before making any choices about investing.
- What Is DeSoc Crypto & Why Vitalik Cares - January 28, 2026
- Why Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Are Not Selling Yet - January 26, 2026
- U.S. Cryptocurrency Oversight Faces a Major Senate Shift - January 25, 2026