It’s a bit of an understatement to say that cryptocurrency has had a bumpy ride in the decade and a half since its conception and unveiling on the market.

In the late 2000s, when crypto was largely unknown to the public, the general feeling among financial industry insiders was that it was a fever dream of the few who developed it, and that investing in this technology was a crazy task. A few years later, he became the darling of Wall Street’s trendsetters and trendsetters, although he still wasn’t quite accepted by investors and traditional financial institutions.

Then came the glory years, when the value of Bitcoin and other established cryptocurrencies soared, garnering positive press and making many skeptics believe.

Now, as the calendar is about to turn to 2025, crypto appears poised to make big gains again, bolstered by positive signals from some of the world’s central banks regarding the possibility of adopting a reserve reserve and rejoice in the praise of the new president. administration in the United States.

There’s no denying that cryptocurrencies can be volatile, especially compared to more traditional currencies and assets. Over the years, it has reached staggering highs and record lows. So what does the average investor think these days? Is cryptocurrency going to have another big year? Will it collapse, as all its detractors have long predicted? Or will it evolve into a more stable and predictable asset class?

Helping us understand what to expect from the digital currency sector in 2025 is Cole Diamonda widely recognized phenomenon authority on the subject. In 2017, Cole co-founded Coinsquare and quickly grew it into Canada’s leading crypto marketplace and broker-dealer, ultimately raising over $100 million. He is also co-founder of Tetra Trust, Canada’s first digital asset custodian. Although today Cole is focused on other ventures (he’s about to launch a new tech/automotive company called Trade In and owns a majority stake in food delivery service Ghost Kitchens International, among other ventures ), he always keeps a watchful eye on the world of cryptocurrency.

“Cryptocurrency is at a crossroads,” he explains. “And while I won’t make any recommendations on this one way or the other, I am well-positioned to make some observations about the industry as a whole. My first observation: the adoption of cryptocurrencies is accelerating, not only among individual investors but also at the institutional level. We’re seeing once-skeptical major financial players dip their toes in the water. This is an incredibly positive sign, and speaks to the longevity of crypto.

Cole Diamond also highlights the growing awareness within the industry of the inevitability of regulation, particularly in light of the unprecedented market turmoil in 2024. “Regulation is coming, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” he notes. “Governments around the world are looking to introduce clear frameworks for cryptocurrencies. While some fear that regulation will stifle innovation, I think it’s safe to say that it will provide much-needed clarity and stability essential for long-term growth in the crypto sphere.

Another key trend highlighted by Cole is the rise of blockchain technology beyond financial applications. “Blockchain was first developed to securely record and verify cryptocurrency transactions, but it is proving its value in industries far beyond that, such as supply chain management, healthcare and even automotive technology. The underlying technology has many more applications than many think, and its potential is only just beginning to be realized.

As for 2025, Cole Diamond is optimistic but realistic. “We have seen cycles before. The key is to focus on the fundamentals: how crypto is used, how it is integrated into the broader economy, and how it solves real-world problems. This is what will determine its future.

His parting words, however, contain a bold prediction: “My final prediction is big, and it is in 2025 that crypto will be fully accepted by the last holdouts regarding its long-term viability. This doesn’t lead anywhere. Regardless of anyone’s opinion on this, it’s simply a reality now, and I think we’re finally getting to a point where everyone will admit it.”