3 crypto predictions going into 2025: SOL ETFs, AI trading, new threats

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech and finance industries, I find myself intrigued by the dynamic landscape of cryptocurrencies in 2025. The predictions for next year are both exciting and concerning, much like a rollercoaster ride that keeps you on your toes!

Firstly, the potential rise of AI-powered crypto trading could be a game-changer, as AI bots outperform human investors in terms of precision, 24/7 presence, and engagement. This is reminiscent of when I first saw a calculator outperform me at basic arithmetic! But hey, who needs human emotions when you can have an algorithm with no sleep or bias?

Secondly, the increasing sophistication of AI-powered scams in the crypto industry is a cause for concern. However, as someone who’s lost a fortune to a Nigerian prince email scam back in the day, I guess this isn’t too far-fetched!

Lastly, the potential regulatory changes under Donald Trump’s presidency could bring about more innovation and clarity in the crypto space. Fingers crossed that we don’t see another “Make Crypto Great Again” hat anytime soon!

In conclusion, the future of cryptocurrencies is shaping up to be an interesting ride, filled with opportunities for growth and learning – just like my career! And remember, always double-check if a crypto investment opportunity comes from a Nigerian prince or not. Better safe than sorry!

As a crypto investor, I’m excited about the prospect of sophisticated AI trading bots and a possible U.S.-listed Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) that could significantly enhance the crypto market in 2025, as suggested by experts within the crypto industry.

In the meantime, powered by comparable AI technology, hackers could potentially experience another successful year filled with cyber-thefts and attacks.

Among the top three cryptocurrency forecasts for the year 2025, these are ranked from least promising to most hopeful, culminating in the most inspiring outlook:

1. The first prediction, which holds the least optimistic view, is…
2. The second prediction, a more neutral stance, is…
3. And finally, the most promising and inspiring development for 2025 is…

US-listed Solana ETF open for business

An increasing number of financial heavyweights, such as VanEck, Grayscale, 21Shares, Bitwise, and Canary Capital, are showing interest in establishing a Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF).

Compared to Ethereum, Solana’s market capitalization of approximately $91 billion is significantly lower at just a fourth of Ethereum’s $403 billion. This implies that Solana requires fewer investments to generate greater growth potential.

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts view the approval of a Solana ETF as a possible trigger for price increase, with some suggesting that its impact might not yet be fully reflected in current market prices.

In simple terms, Alejo Pinto, a former IBM blockchain growth leader and founder of Solana’s layer-2 network Lumio, stated that if an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is not likely to be approved in the US, it might have a favorable effect on Solana’s price because the likelihood is rare and not yet reflected in its current value.

The exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on Solana are currently being examined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC aims to make a tentative decision on this matter by the end of January 2025.

The deadline for submitting Grayscale’s Solana ETF application is January 23rd. In contrast, the other four applications anticipate receiving a preliminary decision from the SEC by January 25th, which would be 45 days after the SEC began reviewing these ETF applications in November.

According to Alex Svanevik, CEO of cryptocurrency intelligence platform Nansen, it is likely that a Solana ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) listed in the U.S. will be launched in 2025. This prediction is among nine he has made, suggesting that the upcoming year could see significant market growth and potentially become “the mother of all bull markets.” He shared this insight in a post on Nov. 27.

SOL ETF. And it does better than the ETH ETF did at launch.”

On August 7th, the very first Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) received approval in Brazil, paving the way for similar moves in various international locations.

On December 11th, Solana surged past the $230 mark, driven by mounting trader excitement about a potential SOL ETF and Bitwise’s prediction that Solana could reach $750. By 7:30 am UTC, Solana was already trading above $189.

AI-powered crypto scams and irresistible hack targets

2024 saw a substantial boost for widespread cryptocurrency acceptance as hackers managed to steal approximately $2.3 billion in value from various sources – representing a 40% rise compared to the previous year’s thefts. This alarming trend was highlighted in a report issued by onchain security firm Cyvers.

2025 might see a resurgence of cybercrime, as the escalating values of cryptocurrencies and the increasing volume of digital transactions make them more attractive targets for cybercriminals.

It’s important for investors to stay vigilant about Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud and what are known as “pig butchering” scams, as advised by Deddy Lavid, the co-founder and CEO of Cyvers.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come across a couple of schemes that are far from honest. One is referred to as APP fraud, where unsuspecting victims are tricked into approving payments, often without realizing it. Another one is pig butchering, which is a more subtle form of deception. In pig butchering, scammers manipulate the market over an extended period to drain your assets through fake crypto investment opportunities. It’s crucial for every investor to stay vigilant and do thorough research before making any investments in this dynamic and rapidly-evolving space.

In the year 2024, there was a greater amount of money stolen through fraudulent activities compared to security breaches, underscoring their escalating financial repercussions. Furthermore, advancements in artificial intelligence are contributing to the sophistication of such scams, as stated by Lavid.

“Combating them will require advanced detection systems, stricter compliance, and consumer education to safeguard an increasingly valuable and vulnerable digital ecosystem.”

Keep a close watch, since North Korean cybercriminals might shift their focus towards more significant targets like major U.S. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as suggested by Michael Pearl, Vice President of Strategy at cybersecurity firm OnChain Security.

AI crypto trading could surpass humans

2024 saw a surge of interest from investors towards AI and AI-driven cryptocurrency initiatives. These projects became a primary area of interest for venture capitalists, even as there was an increase in AI-related fraud within the crypto sector.

The potential rise of AI-powered cryptocurrency trading might become a substantial market movement in the future, with advancements in AI technology potentially leading AI algorithms to outperform human investors, as suggested by Jawad Ashraf, co-founder and CEO of Vanar blockchain.

Ashraf stated that Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), traders, and influencers might discover they are overtaken by AI agents, which excel in precision, operate continuously around the clock, and can sometimes be more interactive than their human equivalents.

“AI agents will provide market insights, execute trades based on real-time data analysis, or influence market sentiment with an efficiency human counterparts can’t match.”

The interconnected alliance between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is poised to revolutionize the digital currency landscape. Ashraf stated that this evolution will test our traditional concepts of trust, authority, and innovation, leading to a more machine-focused cryptocurrency economy. Just as before, Web3 remains at the forefront of technological advancements, according to Ashraf.

According to CoinGecko’s data, the total value of cryptocurrencies related to artificial intelligence stands at approximately $42 billion on December 25.

Automated crypto trading systems, modeled after human trading patterns, provide constant market access to users around the clock. However, they come with substantial trading and safety risks, as demonstrated by the hack on the Telegram bot known as Banana Gun, resulting in approximately $2 million in user losses.

In comparison, an AI agent represents a superior type of software compared to crypto trading bots, because it has the ability to adjust and progress with time, absorbing and adapting to fresh market trends and fluctuations.

Other honorable mentions

The trends mentioned earlier barely touch upon the full extent of all the intriguing forecasts about cryptocurrencies, but they do provide a glimpse into the fast-paced evolution taking place within the crypto sector.

The imminent inauguration of Donald Trump is viewed as a potential boost for the cryptocurrency industry, with many anticipating more favorable regulations towards cryptocurrencies that could spur further innovation in this field.

Experts in the field anticipate an increase in both institutional and government use of cryptocurrencies, fueled by the buzz surrounding the prospect of a Bitcoin Reserve Act in the U.S., aiming to utilize Bitcoin as a modern financial saving tool.

Ultimately, investors are eagerly waiting for a clearer regulatory stance and potential approval of crypto-based ETFs following January 20th, as Paul Atkins is expected to take over from Gary Gensler as SEC chair. This change could rekindle expectations that the regulator may abandon its legal battle with Ripple Labs.

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2024-12-31 17:16