The crypto world made big moves in 2025, with major growth in stablecoins, more interest from big financial players, and new uses of artificial intelligence (AI). According to a16zcrypto’s latest State of Crypto report, digital currencies are no longer just for tech-savvy users — they’re becoming a real part of the global economy.

Well-known companies like Visa, BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, and Stripe have all launched their own crypto-related products. This shows that big businesses are starting to take digital assets seriously. Blockchains are now handling over 3,400 transactions every second — that’s more than 100 times faster than just five years ago. Meanwhile, stablecoins were used for $46 trillion in transactions in the past year, putting them on par with major payment systems like Visa and PayPal.

Investors are also jumping in. Institutional investment in Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) has passed $175 billion. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust stands out as the most popular Bitcoin ETP ever launched, showing that large investors are gaining confidence in crypto assets.

Stablecoins have played a key role in this shift. They offer fast and reliable ways to send money across borders. With transaction volume up 106% from last year, stablecoins are now a major part of the onchain economy and even outperform traditional banking systems in some areas.

Crypto isn’t just growing in rich countries. Emerging markets like Argentina, Colombia, and Nigeria are seeing a lot of crypto activity too. In the U.S., new laws like the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act have helped clear up rules for digital assets. This legal clarity is giving builders and investors more confidence to keep building in the space.

Another big trend is the blend of AI and blockchain. AI tools are being combined with crypto tech to solve problems like verifying where digital content came from or making online payments smoother. New systems for digital identity and finance are also being built to support AI bots that can manage money and interact with smart contracts on their own.

Behind the scenes, the technology powering crypto has also improved a lot. Blockchains can now handle thousands of transactions per second. Plus, advances like zero-knowledge proofs are making systems more private and secure. These upgrades are setting the stage for wider use of crypto in everyday life.

Keywords: crypto industry 2025, stablecoins growth, institutional crypto adoption, AI and blockchain, Bitcoin ETFs, Ethereum investment, global crypto usage, U.S. crypto regulation, blockchain scalability, zero-knowledge proof systems, decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity systems