As 2024 draws to a close, a series of key developments in cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) have reshaped both industries.
Bitcoin began the year at around $40,000, and by late December had surged beyond $100,000. The industry emerged from the long grip of the crypto winter with the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF. Alongside this momentum, 2024 was the year digital assets took center stage in Washington, DC, with President-elect Donald Trump gaining support from crypto advocates due to his vocal backing of the industry and crypto-friendly appointees.
Avi Iluz, CEO of Gems Trade, a next-gen regulated CEX providing secure trading tools for top-trending cryptocurrencies, shared his perspective on what he believes was the biggest crypto event of 2024:
“The most significant crypto event of 2024 was undoubtedly the Bitcoin Halving in April—the ‘Oscars of the Crypto World’, reducing mining rewards from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. This was eagerly anticipated by the crypto community, and highlighted Bitcoin’s scarcity, attracting institutional and retail investors.”
In July, Trump made headlines by vowing to create a government-backed Bitcoin reserve, a move that could elevate cryptocurrency to the level of a national strategic asset. But will he follow through on this bold promise?
Motti Peer, Co-CEO and Chairman of ReBlonde, technology PR firm specializing in blockchain and AI, weighed in on the potential impact of U.S. involvement in Bitcoin:
“Establishing a U.S. Bitcoin Reserve will mark a pivotal shift in economic strategy, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in digital asset adoption. With Bitcoin’s finite supply and decentralized nature, such a move would hedge against inflation and economic volatility, reinforcing financial stability amid geopolitical challenges and de-dollarization efforts. It would signal U.S. confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential as a modern store of value, ensuring the digital asset remains with trusted actors and setting a precedent for other nations. This would strengthen U.S. monetary dominance in an increasingly digital world.”
Iluz adds:
“Governments, starting with more innovative ones, will begin adding Bitcoin to their reserves, elevating it from ‘digital gold’ to ‘government gold,’ sparking a wave of adoption. Simultaneously, the rise of CBDCs will introduce a new dynamic, creating a balancing act between decentralized assets like Bitcoin, and centralized, government-backed digital currencies.”
As the focus shifts from retail investing to institutional involvement, Yuriy Sorokin, Co-Founder and CEO of 3Commas, a leading crypto trading automation solution built for professional traders, asset and fund managers, shares his predictions on how this transition will impact trading strategies:
“Institutional adoption of cryptocurrency is no longer about simple market participation; it’s about redefining how trading is executed in an environment unlike any other. In 2025, automation will go beyond speed and efficiency—it will enable institutions to dynamically interpret on-chain data, predict liquidity shifts, and execute complex strategies tailored to a 24/7 market.”
This sentiment regarding the impact of institutional investors was reinforced by Peter Ionov, CEO of GT Protocol, a blockchain AI execution protocol building advanced AI agents. He shares:
“As governments worldwide continue to develop regulatory frameworks, the demand for stablecoins, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) will surge. Stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies or other stable assets, are gaining favor, particularly among institutional investors.”
While institutional-grade investors have shown growing interest in the space, they must recognize that the crypto ecosystem is leading the way, not the other way around. As the year progresses, institutions will need to adapt to the standards set by crypto, ensuring their infrastructure meets the demands of the digital space.
Simultaneously, AI has also had quite a transformative year. As the industry continues to mature, its impact is extending beyond traditional markets, reshaping how cryptocurrencies are traded and managed. AI-driven tools, like AI agents, are increasingly being leveraged to enhance decision-making in crypto.
Peer shared:
“AI-enabled crypto is rapidly transforming blockchain, with a total market capitalization in the AI sector of 277 blockchain projects reaching $21 billion by Q4 2024. Driving unprecedented efficiency and scalability, this convergence is pushing the crypto ecosystem towards greater autonomy and resilience. AI-powered algorithms already manage a considerable amount of decentralized finance (DeFi) assets by optimizing trades, automating yield farming strategies, and enhancing risk management. The integration of AI and blockchain is expected to contribute an estimated $1.76 trillion to global GDP by 2030. As we move into 2025, this synergy is set to redefine the competitive landscape. By unlocking new avenues for innovation, predictive analytics, and fraud prevention, it is poised to accelerate the adoption of autonomous financial systems.”
While it's impossible to predict with certainty what will unfold in the coming year, the trajectory of these sectors suggests continued and accelerated growth. Projects integrating emerging technologies and embracing cross-sector collaboration will be well-positioned to capitalize on this continued growth. The future of these sectors will be defined not only by their growth but how they welcome a more interconnected and resilient digital ecosystem.