Cryptocurrency on the Brink of Mainstream Adoption: A Look Toward 2025 and Beyond
The Web3 industry is poised for a significant transformation as it aims to surpass 5 billion cryptocurrency users in the coming years. This growth is anticipated to be driven by enhanced blockchain usability and an influx of speculative interest during the next bull market cycle. According to industry insiders, the cryptocurrency sector is only one growth cycle away from achieving widespread mainstream adoption, positioning digital assets as a globally accepted alternative payment method.
At the close of 2025, there were approximately 659 million cryptocurrency holders, as reported by a December research report from centralized exchange Crypto.com. As cryptocurrency adoption continues to evolve, experts project that the industry could exceed 5 billion users within the next decade. Thomas Prévot, head of operations in France at Crypto.com, emphasized this potential during a panel discussion at the Waib Summit 2025 held in Monaco. He stated,
“Within 10 years, we’ll reach 5 billion users. We’re one cycle away,”
indicating that this milestone would signify crypto’s adoption in a manner similar to that of credit cards today.
However, Prévot cautioned that he anticipates the next major wave of mainstream adoption will follow a recovery from the current “down cycle,” coinciding with the onset of the next bull market. The achievement of the first billion users would represent a significant step towards mainstream acceptance, potentially establishing cryptocurrencies as a viable alternative payment system. This aligns with the original vision of Satoshi Nakamoto, who developed Bitcoin (BTC) as a decentralized, peer-to-peer transaction method.
Market predictions suggest that widespread cryptocurrency adoption could elevate Bitcoin to an “ultimate price” of $700,000 per token, based on a hypothetical 3% allocation in investment portfolios. This forecast was made by prominent Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo in August 2024. Additionally, Roy van Krimpen, the general manager for Western Europe at OKX exchange, noted that retail price speculation could serve as a significant catalyst for attracting the first billion cryptocurrency users, similar to the trends observed during the 2021 market cycle. He remarked,
“Getting to a billion can happen in one of two ways,”
highlighting that price speculation might be a substantial driver for retail interest.
Moreover, van Krimpen pointed out that the second method of achieving this milestone would involve actual usage of blockchain technology for transactions, which would require substantial changes in consumer behavior and may take longer to manifest. Other industry insiders, such as Chintan Turakhia, senior director of engineering at Coinbase, share the belief that improving blockchain application usability and creating beginner-friendly platforms are critical steps to reaching the first billion cryptocurrency users.
As the landscape of cryptocurrency continues to evolve, industry experts remain optimistic about the future of digital assets. The potential for cryptocurrencies to become a mainstream payment option, coupled with advancements in technology and user accessibility, could herald a new era for financial transactions worldwide.
For more insights and updates on the evolving cryptocurrency landscape, visit Cointelegraph.
