Written by: Lei, Golden Finance

In 2025, many key tracks in the field of decentralization will usher in further maturity and innovation. As technology continues to make breakthroughs, the industry is developing strongly, and application scenarios and market demands in various fields are also growing. In this year, we will witness the advancement of trends such as the combination of AI and blockchain, the deep integration of DeFi and real-world assets (RWA), and the continuous optimization of modular infrastructure. These trends not only represent technological innovations, but also demonstrate the widespread application and huge market potential of blockchain in various industries.

1. Integration of AI and Blockchain (AI x Blockchain)

In 2024, the combination of AI and Blockchain will become the forefront of technological innovation, with many new projects emerging. The Eliza Framework launched by Eliza Labs provides an open source technology framework that supports the creation, deployment and management of intelligent AI agents on different platforms, and integrates with blockchains (such as Solana) to promote the development of autonomous AI agents in decentralized finance. Additionally, Virtuals Protocol launched on the Ethereum L2 Base platform, allowing users to create and profit from tokenized AI agents. Not only can these AI agents interact with users through text, voice, and 3D animation, they also open up new revenue opportunities.

Trends in 2025:

The growth of autonomous AI agents: AI agents will gradually perform tasks independently in areas such as financial transactions, content creation, and social interaction, promoting the development of decentralized AI applications. universal.

Further integration of AI and DeFi: More AI-driven DeFi applications will emerge, improving the capabilities of automated investment, credit scoring and risk management.

AI-driven decentralized governance: The application of AI in DAOs and decentralized organizations will become more widespread for coordinating and managing community decisions.

Privacy and security concerns: With the in-depth application of AI in blockchain, privacy protection and data security will become the focus, and the research and development of new technologies will be promoted to ensure the credibility of agents.

2. Layer-2 expansion solutions

In 2024, the field of Layer-2 expansion solutions will usher in multiple innovative projects to promote the improvement of blockchain network performance. RISE Chain attracted investment from Vitalik Buterin with its "Layer2 + Parallel EVM" architecture, which aims to improve performance and EVM compatibility. Taiko focuses on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-Rollups) to improve transaction privacy and efficiency, while Mantle makes new progress in cross-chain interoperability and scalability.

Trends in 2025:

ZK-Rollup enhancement: Layer-2 solutions based on ZK-Rollup will be more widely used, improving privacy and scalability, while reducing transaction costs .

Interoperability and cross-chain technology: Interoperability between Layer-2 networks will become the focus, and more complex bridging technologies will be developed to ensure seamless asset transfers.

User experience optimization: Layer-2 will further improve the user experience and attract more non-technical users through a more intuitive interface and operation process.

Performance optimization and cost reduction: Layer-2 will continue to optimize performance and reduce the deployment and maintenance costs of blockchain networks.

3. DeFi 2.0

In 2024, multiple new projects will be launched in the DeFi 2.0 field to promote the combination of decentralized finance and real-world assets (RWA) and improve capital efficiency. Aave V3 introduces cross-chain liquidity and efficient collateral usage, while Uniswap v4 optimizes liquidity pools and enhances transaction efficiency. MakerDAO promotes the integration of DeFi and traditional finance by incorporating RWA such as bonds and real estate into the collateral pool of the stable currency Dai.

Trends in 2025:

Integration of RWA integration and DeFi: More traditional assets will be connected to DeFi protocols through tokenization to promote the development of decentralized finance.

Innovative lending mechanism: DeFi protocol will innovate the lending mechanism to improve capital efficiency and liquidity.

Cross-chain interoperability: The maturity of cross-chain technology will promote the flow of assets between different blockchains and promote the further integration of the DeFi ecosystem.

4. Stablecoins and payments

In 2024, with the massive growth of the encryption market, stablecoins and payment tracks first gained the favor of Wall Street capital. Ethena cooperates with BlackRock to launch USDb, and PayPal cooperates with Ernst & Young to complete commercial remittances through PYUSD to promote the application of stable coins in global payments. Usual, a decentralized stablecoin project collateralized by real world assets (RWA), also recently announced that it has received $10 million in Series A financing led by Binance Labs and Kraken Ventures.

Trends in 2025:

Increased institutional participation: Traditional financial institutions will further intervene in the issuance of stable coins and promote the popularity and application of stable coins.

Decentralized cross-border payment solutions: Stable coins will become the core of cross-border payments, providing low-cost and efficient payment solutions.

Diversified applications of stablecoins: Stablecoins targeting specific industries or uses will be more diversified, such as supply chain finance and travel payments.

5. DeSci and community governance. Catalyst and Bio Protocol are focused on promoting the application of blockchain technology in scientific commercialization.

2025-year trend:

Expansion of interdisciplinary fields: DeSci will expand its application to more fields such as physics and chemistry to promote interdisciplinary scientific cooperation.

Data openness and transparency: More scientific data will be uploaded to the chain, improving data transparency and promoting reproducibility and verification research.

Smart contract application: Smart contracts will play an important role in scientific research cooperation and ensure the fair distribution of scientific research results.

6. Modular blockchain infrastructure

Modular blockchain infrastructure has made significant progress in 2024, with projects such as Gelato, Caldera and AltLayer providing flexible modular solutions, while Hyperlane and Polyhedra is committed to improving blockchain interoperability.

Trends in 2025:

Popularization of modular applications: Modular infrastructure will be further popularized to adapt to the specific needs of more blockchain applications.

Privacy and security: Privacy protection will become the core of modular blockchain, and zero-knowledge proof technology will improve data privacy and transaction security.

Scalability and cost-effectiveness: Modular design will promote the scalability of the blockchain, reduce costs, and improve network performance.

7. Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN)

The DePIN track will welcome multiple new projects in 2024, including Roam, World Mobile and Spheron, to promote decentralized network services and computing Resource sharing.

Trends in 2025:

Expanded market penetration: DePIN projects will be more widely used in energy, communications and other fields.

Deepening of enterprise cooperation: More traditional enterprises will cooperate with the DePIN project to promote the application of technology in actual scenarios.

Technological optimization and standardization: DePIN technology will continue to be optimized to attract more capital inflows and promote project diversification.

8. Tokenized Real World Assets (RWA)

In 2024, many innovative projects emerged in the RWA field, and MakerDAO and Franklin Templeton began to explore the tokenization of traditional assets such as bonds and real estate. rwa.xyz focuses on tokenizing non-traditional assets such as gold and art to provide investors with new investment channels.

Trends in 2025:

More asset tokenization: In 2025, more types of tokenized assets are expected to emerge, including commodities and emerging market assets.

Deep integration of DeFi and RWA: The further integration of RWA and DeFi will promote the emergence of more innovative financial products.

Compliance and risk management: As the scale of RWA expands, compliance and risk management will become the focus, driving more institutions to participate.