Bitwise Asset Management has predicted 2025 as the “Year of the Crypto IPO” due to several factors including market recovery, blockchain adoption, and Pro-crypto regulatory policies. Bitwise announced that, while 2024 was a momentum year for crypto, where most of the cryptocurrencies reached their all-time high and the successful launch of several spot ETFs, 2025 is likely to be the ‘Golden age of Crypto.’
Bitwise has given 10 predictions and a bonus prediction saying that the bitcoin is likely to trade above $1 million per bitcoin, surpassing the $18 trillion gold market in 2029. If conditions are favorable for the market, there’s a high chance that these predictions come true and offer significant opportunities. This article will give a brief overview of what Crypto IPO is, assess the prediction of Bitwise, navigate other predictions, and discuss the challenges associated with it.
What is a Crypto IPO?
Similar to traditional Initial public offering (IPO), crypto IPOs involve a cryptocurrency company offering shares of its stocks to investors. It is a process through which a cryptocurrency company goes public by giving its shares (equity) to the public on a stock exchange. The shareholders are likely to receive dividends and voting rights, under a highly regulated environment.
For a company to get listed, they must consult with financial and legal advisors to assess the valuation and legal filings, set by regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Once the guidelines are met, companies can list their shares on stock exchanges such as Nasdaq, and S&P 500, making them open for public trading.
How Does Crypto IPO Differ From Traditional ICOs
| Feature | Crypto IPO | Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) |
| Ownership | Shares or equity of the company are offered | Tokens such as governance tokens and utility tokens are offered |
| Regulations | highly regulated | Less regulated |
| Ownership Rights | Holders may get voting rights are dividends | No ownership right |
| Capital raising method | Public stock exchanges | Crowdfunding |
2025: Year Of The Crypto IPO
The cryptocurrency market has witnessed significant growth in 2024, with Bitcoin hitting its all-time high of over $100k, followed by other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum and Solana. Bitwise predicts that this hype is going to sustain with bitcoin to reach a new all high of $200,000 in 2025. This might increase the overall valuation of crypto companies. The victory of a pro-crypto U.S. government led by Donald Trump has eased the regulatory challenges by removing strict regulatory policies and the red-tapism involved. The expansion of blockchain technology into various sectors such as health care, financial services, supply chains, and more has attracted retail and institutional investors alike. Bitwise has listed five cryptocurrencies that might go public in 2025.
- Circle
Circle is the issuer of USD coin (USDC), launched in September 2018. As the market sentiments are favorable, Circle could make a public debut in 2025, with its strong position in the stablecoin market.
- Figure
Figure provides financial solutions like mortgage lending, housing loans, retirement planning, debt consolidation, and asset tokenization. The figure has been looking to get listed as an IPO since 2020, and probably 2025 could give a chance for Figure to go public.
- Kraken
While it previously planned to go public in 2021, the volatile market conditions and regulatory issues capped this. 2025 may help them launch their IPO and regain traction.
- Anchorage Digital
Back in 2021, it became the first federally chartered cryptocurrency bank. So, it is a regulated platform that offers digital services such as financial advice, assets management, and investment advisors, which reduces the gap between digital and traditional banking systems. Anchorage Digital might launch its crypto IPO in 2025.
- Chain Analysis
Founded in 2024, Chain analysis analyzes blockchain data to identify and track transactions. It has been praised for its ability to detect fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and other illegal activities. While the company has not confirmed the launch of crypto IPOs.
Other Predictions by Bitwise
- The major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana might reach new all-time highs. Bitcoin might cross $200,000, which is driven by government regulations and the Bitcoin halving in 2024.
- U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in 2024 have forecasted $5 billion to $15 billion in inflows in the initial years. Experts suggest that trillions of dollars in Bitcoin ETFs will flow in 2025.
- Coinbase may surpass Charles Schwab by trading above $700 per share, which is now twice the current price.
- The prominence of AI agents may promote memecoins. The utility of the meme coin remains a question.
- The data from the bitcoin treasuries suggest that currently, nine countries hold bitcoin, with the US in first place (198,109 BTC). This would double in 2025, with more pro-crypto regulations across the globe.
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 have not included the largest crypto holding companies like Microstrategy and Coinbase. In 2025 both companies are expected to enter these indices.
- The new administration in D.C. will relax its guidance against crypto in 401 (k) plans, enabling billions of dollars to flow into crypto assets. 3% capture would be $240 billion.
- The stablecoin market will surge above $400 or higher. The surge would be influenced by factors such as stablecoin legislation, fintech integration, bull market growth, and global trade and remittances.
- The Real-world asset (RWA) market is expected to reach $50 billion with high growth potential, surpassing $50 billion. In 2021, the crypto industry had tokenized less than $2 billion RWAs which the market now sits at $13.7 billion.
- Bitcoin is expected to overtake the market capitalization of gold by 2029. This means that bitcoin might rise above $1 million per coin.
Conclusion
Bitwise has made landmark predictions for 2025. All the predictions suggest that 2025 will be a year of significant gains for the entire crypto market. Major companies like Circle, Figure, and Kraken are in the lead, and the integration of blockchain technology into financial systems is increasing.
From the anticipated surge in the prices of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana to the introduction of IPOs, more investors have entered the crypto market, signaling more growth and expansion in the market. If the predictions of Bitwise come true, 2025 will be a golden era for the cryptocurrency industry.