The world of crypto is poised for a major shift in 2025, with regulatory developments heralding a new environment for the digital asset industry. Based on insights from industry leaders, here are five key trends to watch in the digital assets space in 2025:

1. The Rise of Stablecoin-Powered Payments

Kevin Lehtiniitty, CEO of Borderless.xyz, predicts a transformative shift in the payments industry: “2025 will mark the beginning of the payments industry transitioning from slow and expensive correspondent banks to fast, cheap, and internet-native money through stablecoins," he tells TheStreet Crypto. "The original use case of crypto is back with a vengeance that’s taking the world by storm as consumers and businesses alike turn to stablecoins to move value across borders. We’re going to see the birth of the world’s first truly global fintechs and neobanks all built on top of blockchain based systems that will completely change the way the world banks and transacts across the next five years."

2. A Surge in Onchain Startups and Innovation

“With an oppressive regulatory regime in the U.S. coming to an end, VC capital is going to pour into onchain startups at a rate rivaling the 2021 bull run. Accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP), payroll, treasury management, creator payments, and remittances are all going to start to flow through these new startups that are going to be default onchain onboarding the next millions of people to blockchain-based assets. While speculation will always be a use case, we’re entering the era of real innovation,” Kevin Lehtiniitty, CEO of Borderless.xyz, tells TheStreet Crypto.

3. Regulatory Clarity

The upcoming Trump presidential administration is likely to unleash a more deregulated environment for crypto. But it's not the only jurisdiction undergoing a shift, according to George Georgiades, General Counsel at Borderless.xyz: “In the United States, the New Year will begin with the inauguration of a new president and administration with a stated commitment to fostering innovation in the crypto industry. Globally, MiCA (the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) along with other regulatory frameworks come in full effect and, although not perfect, will accelerate institutional adoption of blockchain technology.”

"I expect to see greater engagement between regulators and market participants that will lead to clarity on several complex legal issues ranging from the SEC’s treatment of certain digital assets as securities to evolving anti-money laundering requirements, a reduction in enforcement actions and re-engagement by lawmakers."