Top 7 Web3 Trends to Watch in 2025: Smarter Platforms & Clearer Regulation

Web3 is the next version of the internet, where people have more control over their personal information, online identities, and digital assets. Web3 uses blockchain to let people interact directly with each other, make smart contracts, and own digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, all without needing big companies in the middle.

Although the future of Web3 is uncertain, many people are enthusiastic about its potential.

In 2025, Web3 is expected to bring exciting changes, including stronger artificial intelligence (AI), better blockchain technology, and token-based systems. These Web3 trends will make the internet more user-friendly and open for everyone.

As we head into the new year, let’s explore the top trends in Web3 for 2025.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Seven Web3 Trends for 2025
3. The Bottom Line
4. FAQs

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Seven Web3 Trends for 2025
3. The Bottom Line
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs

Seven Web3 Trends for 2025

1. AI Powers Smarter Web3 Platforms

One of the latest trends in Web3 is the evolving power of AI, says Jason Beres, senior vice president of developer tools at Infragistics.

“As AI evolves, it will create a more user-centric and intuitive online experience, where intelligent systems easily adapt to individual needs,” he says.

“With the power to mimic human behavior, AI is breaking new ground, automating problem-solving, gaining insights from experience, and solving complex challenges without requiring manual programming.”

For Web3 users, AI is a game-changer, providing faster and more accurate insights to help them make better decisions and easily navigate decentralized platforms, Beres notes.

“Beyond search engines, AI algorithms personalize content recommendations with remarkable accuracy, tailoring web experiences to each user’s unique preferences,” he says. “These innovations are at the forefront of Web3 development, and will reshape how we interact with the internet.”

2. SEC Eases Crypto Enforcement, Congress Pushes for Clearer Web3 Regulation

Gary Gensler, chairperson of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) who was appointed by President Joe Biden, will be removed from the SEC, and the commission will begin easing up on enforcing cases where crypto projects didn’t register properly, as long as there’s no actual fraud involved, predicts Morrison Foerster partner William Frentzen.

“Meanwhile, under the new administration, Congress pushes through ‘FIT 21‘ or similar legislation to provide more regulatory guidance to the industry, increase the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the space potentially at the expense of the SEC, and reduce regulation by enforcement,” he says.

3. Crypto & Blockchain Set for Growth Under Tech-Friendly Policies

President-elect Donald Trump has publicly embraced the crypto market and has long been quite vocal and firm on his position against regulation and intervention in the private sector, says Natalie Lederman, partner at Sullivan & Worcester.

“As we saw, on the announcement of the US election results, the NASDAQ composite, which tends to be quite tech heavy, jumped up by 3%, an all-time high,” she says. “These things could signal some positive momentum in the crypto and blockchain technology space more broadly, which we might see as soon as the first hundred days after the Trump administration takes office.”

Republicans have been strong advocates for growth in this sector, and it’s generally expected that the results of US Senate and US House of Representatives races will also have a strong impact on the development of blockchain, she added.

Lederman told Techopedia:

“This push for blockchain and crypto development is coming at a critical time because with the swift development of other technologies, such as AI, happening in parallel, technologies like blockchain will be critical both as a complement to and a safeguard against some of the concerns surrounding generative AI.”

Lederman suggests that with a more tech-friendly regulatory environment on the horizon, we can expect several notable developments to emerge, including:

4. Web3 Shifts to Data-Driven Decision-Making

As Web3 growth continues, decentralized apps and platforms will increasingly rely on large amounts of user and transaction data to make real-time decisions, says Casey Ciniello, Reveal and Slingshot senior product manager at Infragistics.

“With advanced analytics and AI integration, Web3 platforms will increasingly rely on data to optimize user experiences, improve system efficiency, and drive smarter governance,” she says.

“This shift will empower businesses and individuals to make smarter decisions, reduce risks, and unlock new opportunities, ultimately fostering a more intelligent and adaptive Web3 ecosystem.”

5. Web3 Goes Mainstream: The Need for Security and Availability

Web3 is not just for crypto “nerds” anymore, says Don Boxley, CEO and co-founder at DH2i. Businesses are jumping in now, using it to make things more efficient and build trust with customers.

“But here’s the thing: none of it works if your systems aren’t up and running or if they’re not secure,” he says. “That’s where tools that ensure high availability and security come in, and I think 2025’s the year businesses really figure that out.”

6. Institutional Adoption & Retail-Focused Projects Grow

Looking ahead to 2025, Web3 trends are expected to follow a “barbell” structure, with two distinct developments, says Min Jung, research analyst at Presto Research. On one end, institutional adoption will increase, driven by such products as Bitcoin-based investments and real-world asset tokenization, along with stronger connections to traditional finance.

Jung told Techopedia:

“We also anticipate progress toward Bitcoin’s inclusion on national balance sheets, whether officially as a ‘strategic reserve’ or under more discreet terms.”

On the other side, the Web3 ecosystem focused on retail will keep growing, especially with the popularity of community-driven assets, such as meme coins, according to Jung. These tokens, which were once considered unimportant, are becoming more popular as people become more skeptical about venture-backed tokens.

“In this environment, coins will need to demonstrate real utility or cultural relevance to thrive,” he says. “Mere funding and exchange listings will no longer guarantee success, with market participants increasingly selective about supporting assets with tangible use cases or strong community appeal.”

7. Stablecoins Evolve With Transparency & Regulation

One of the next trends in the Web3 industry is that people will seek stablecoins and digital assets that are not only stable in value but also well-regulated and managed transparently and reliably, says Daniel Wolfe, CEO and co-founder of blockchain fintech start-up Facet and co-founder and managing partner of Simoleon Long-Term Value Limited.

Stablecoins have already shown their worth in the crypto world, with Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USDC being two of the top 10 largest crypto assets by value, he says. While stablecoins are mainly used by traders moving from risky investments to cash, they also have other proven uses.

Wolfe says: “Increasing value will move to these use cases as more economic activity moves to the blockchain.”

Bitcoin’s price can fluctuate significantly, which makes it unreliable for most of these uses, and other cryptocurrencies are even more unpredictable, Wolfe adds.

As more institutional investors that manage traditional money, such as US dollars, get involved in crypto, the need for cryptocurrencies that can hold their value against these currencies will grow.

“For example, Blackrock’s successes in crypto assets, which include the exchange-traded fund with the fastest growth to over $30 billion [assets under management], have not been ignored, he says.

“More entrants will come, and fast. Increasing assets in on-chain treasuries, including those of decentralized autonomous organizations, will also require institutional stores of value for much of their on-chain assets.”

There are huge challenges ahead for the fiat-linked stablecoins, according to Wolfe. Regulatory changes have already come into force in the European Union and they will soon be introduced in the United States as well.

“It is unclear whether the changes required by impending regulation will be achievable for Tether and Circle,” he notes. “It seems likely that they may have to become more like banks, which is a tall order. ‘Can Tether become institutional?’ is a question that will likely be answered in 2025.”

Stablecoins and stores of value need to be improved to meet the strict standards for transparency, proper management, and compliance with the rules that regulators and major financial institutions will require, Wolfe says.

“Innovation is at the core of blockchain and blockchain-driven projects,” he says. “2025 will see new entrants with novel strategies that provide both the stability that makes stores of value, including stablecoins, valuable and popular, while adding the necessary elements of alignment with investors, token holders, institutions and regulators.”

The Bottom Line

Developing decentralized apps is a key step in making the Web3 future a reality. Web3 technology aims to change the internet by creating apps that are more user-focused and not controlled by a central authority.

As we enter 2025, these changes will give people more control and privacy while disrupting traditional business models.

Web3 is making online experiences safer, more open, and easier to use by improving blockchain, creating smarter digital contracts, and increasing transparency.

FAQs