Mainstream crypto adoption trends in 2025 – News

Mainstream crypto adoption is accelerating, as traditional financial institutions and blockchain innovators converge on scalable, compliant models for digital asset trading. The recent debut of Bullish Inc. on the New York Stock Exchange underscores how far crypto has come from its early days of skepticism and volatility.

In an exclusive broadcast from theCUBE’s NYSE studio, theCUBE Research’s John Furrier (pictured, right), executive analyst, and Dave Vellante, chief analyst, explored how Bullish’s hybrid model — blending centralized oversight with decentralized innovation — reflects the broader trend of institutional embrace. They noted the rise of layer one and layer two networks, surging Ethereum prices and the impact of regulatory clarity through measures such as the GENIUS Act. The conversation positioned Bullish as part of a wave of crypto companies seeking to scale like the cloud era’s early pioneers.

“You’re starting to see real money systems, the plumbing really adopt what’s going on here,” Furrier said. “Bullish going public just on crypto because it is inevitable that digital assets, the digital currency has to be that. And, of course, Stablecoins grounds everything with that.”

Furrier and Vellante spoke to industry experts from Chainlink Labs Ltd., The Ether Machine Inc. and Ledger SAS, among others, during theCUBE + NYSE Wired: Crypto Trailblazers event series. They discussed how mainstream crypto adoption is accelerating as institutions, innovators and emerging technologies converge to scale digital assets through compliant, scalable and integrated platforms.

Here are insights from nine leaders driving the next wave of mainstream crypto adoption:

1. Mainstream crypto adoption gains momentum

The path to mainstream crypto adoption is accelerating as institutions embrace tokenization, cross-chain connectivity and real-time verification to modernize financial systems. Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink Labs, sees regulatory clarity, global liquidity and blockchain-based infrastructure driving this shift into the next era of on-chain finance.

Check out theCUBE’s complete interview.

Chainlink Labs’ Sergey Nazarov discusses tokenization, cross-chain connectivity and real-time verification with theCUBE’s Dave Vellante.

2. Institutional-grade crypto integration

Talos Global Inc. is transforming institutional access to digital assets through its one-stop platform, connecting clients to exchanges, OTC desks, custodians and post-trade services in a single integration. With its recent Coin Metrics Inc. acquisition, Talos strengthens its data capabilities while accelerating global adoption, said Anton Katz, co-founder and chief executive officer of Talos.

Hear the full story on theCUBE.

3. Incubating innovation at the intersection of Web3, AI and biotech

At YZi Labs, mainstream crypto adoption is just one part of a bigger vision that blends blockchain with AI and biotech to create transformative, mission-driven companies. Ella Zhang, managing partner and head of YZi Labs, and Alex Odagiu, senior investment director at YZi Labs, lead an ecosystem that supports founders from incubation to IPO, combining capital, mentorship and global networks to accelerate groundbreaking innovation.

Watch the full segment on theCUBE.

4. Ethereum staking advantage for institutions

Andrew Keys, co-founder and chairman of The Ether Machine, sees a massive gap in how institutional investors can fully capitalize on Ethereum’s yield potential. By enabling 100% staking capacity, layering in restaking and engaging in DeFi, his approach aims to outperform ETFs and offer a cleaner, more flexible vehicle for Ether exposure.

Check out theCUBE’s complete interview.

The Ether Machine’s Andrew Keys talks about maximizing Ethereum’s investment potential for institutional investors.

5. Innovation fueling the next wave

Momentum for mainstream crypto adoption is accelerating as institutions, enterprises and even global brands explore tokenization, custom L1 blockchains and blockchain-enabled economies. From real-world asset digitization to gaming and loyalty applications, the market is proving resilient and ripe with opportunity, according to Luigi Demeo, chief security officer of Ava Labs Inc.

Don’t miss the full interview on theCUBE.

6. Blockchain meets AI in a new data economy

OpenLedger is redefining how AI models are built by creating a transparent, blockchain-powered marketplace for proprietary, domain-specific data. This “payable AI” approach rewards contributors whose data improves models, enabling decentralized intelligence to flourish across industries, explained Ram Kumar, core contributor at OpenLedger, a blockchain AI company.

Catch the full story on theCUBE.

7. Entrepreneurship surges as clarity fuels crypto’s next wave

With regulatory clarity restoring confidence, innovation in digital assets is accelerating, drawing top founders and investors back into the fold. Diogo Monica (pictured, left), co-founder and executive chairman of Anchorage, the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Anchor Labs Inc., and general partner at Haun Ventures Management LP, says mainstream crypto adoption is now propelled by stablecoin growth, strategic M&A and renewed institutional engagement.

Watch the full interview on theCUBE.

Ledger’s Sebastien Badault speaks about multi-chain treasury management to support the growing institutional presence in digital finance.

8. Institutional crypto security and expansion

Ledger SAS is evolving from its roots in consumer crypto wallets to delivering enterprise-grade security, governance and trading solutions for the institutional wave reshaping digital finance. With integrations for custody, payments, staking and multi-chain treasury management, the company is meeting global demand, says Sebastien Badault, vice president of enterprise at Ledger.

Get the full story on theCUBE.

9. Decentralized infrastructure powering the next wave of adoption

As digital assets evolve on decentralized infrastructure, mainstream crypto adoption is accelerating with powerful new platforms enabling developers to build at scale. Nikil Viswanathan, co-founder and chief executive officer of Alchemy Insights Inc., sees this as a “Windows 95 moment” — the early stage of a technology era poised to reshape global finance.

Don’t miss the full interview on theCUBE.

Here the complete video playlist from News’s and theCUBE’s coverage of theCUBE + NYSE Wired: Crypto Trailblazers event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

Photo: News