Explore how cryptocurrency is redefining value, from gold and paper to digital trust, decentralisation, and financial inclusion in the digital age.
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For millennia, humans have defined value through the tangible: gold you could hold, land you could stand on, and later, paper notes backed by government promises. But in just over a decade, cryptocurrency has fundamentally challenged these ancient conventions, introducing a radical new proposition: what if value could exist purely as information, secured not by central authorities but by mathematics and collective consensus?
Consider this: cryptocurrency isn't merely a financial innovation; it represents a philosophical, cultural, and psychological revolution in how we conceptualise value itself. While traditional economists and crypto bros might view crypto assets as speculative instruments, they miss the broader transformation occurring beneath the price charts - a complete reconstruction of our relationship with money, trust, and economic participation.
As we'll explore, this shift extends far beyond trading and investing. It's reshaping how entire generations think about wealth preservation, questioning long-held assumptions about institutional authority, and expanding financial access to previously excluded populations. From Bitcoin's deflationary model to the complex ecosystems of decentralised finance, crypto is rewriting the very language of value in the digital age. Let’s explore it.
From tangible to digital: the evolution of wealth perception
"Where exactly is your Bitcoin?" This seemingly simple question reveals the profound shift occurring in our collective understanding of wealth. For centuries, value storage meant physical possession (again, gold bars in vaults, cash in wallets, or property deeds in filing cabinets). The materiality of these assets provided psychological comfort; you could literally touch your wealth.
Cryptocurrency challenges this fundamental association between physicality and value. When someone owns Bitcoin, they don't possess a digital coin in the conventional sense. Instead, they control access to a position on an immutable ledger - a concept so abstract that it requires significant cognitive adjustment for many traditional investors.
From a behavioural aspect, the difficulty many people have with accepting cryptocurrency stems from our evolutionary programming: our brains developed to value tangible resources (food, shelter, tools). Abstract representations of value require more cognitive processing, which is why many people struggle with the concept of crypto despite understanding it intellectually.
This transition mirrors other historical shifts in value perception. When paper money first replaced gold coins, many resisted the change, insisting that value couldn't exist in mere paper promises. Today's movement from government-issued currency to algorithmic scarcity follows a similar pattern of initial resistance followed by gradual normalisation.
What makes the current transition unique is its complete divorce from the physical realm. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of other digital assets exist exclusively as information, secured through cryptography, distributed across thousands of computers worldwide, and accessible only through digital keys. This represents not an incremental change but a quantum leap in how we conceptualise ownership and store value.
Decentralisation: redefining trust and authority
Perhaps crypto's most revolutionary aspect isn't its digital nature but its decentralised structure. For centuries, we've outsourced trust to centralised institutions, for example, banks to protect our deposits, governments to manage currency supplies, and credit agencies to verify our financial identities.
Cryptocurrency proposes an alternative: what if trust could be encoded into protocol rules, distributed across networks, and verified by mathematics rather than human authorities?
When Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin, it wasn't just a new asset class - it was a fundamental challenge to the monopoly on money creation. By solving the double-spend problem without requiring a central authority, blockchain technology essentially digitised trust itself.
This decentralisation has profound implications across the financial landscape:
- Banking without banks: Cryptocurrency enables people to become their own financial institutions: storing, transferring, and managing wealth without intermediaries who charge fees and impose conditions.
- Censorship resistance: When value exists on distributed networks, it becomes extraordinarily difficult for any single entity to freeze assets or block transactions, creating new forms of financial freedom.
- Global accessibility: Traditional financial systems reflect geographic and political boundaries. Decentralised networks operate independently of these constraints, allowing anyone with internet access to participate in the global economy.
In emerging markets particularly, this shift from institutional to algorithmic trust has accelerated rapidly. When Venezuela experienced hyperinflation exceeding 1,000,000% in 2018, many citizens turned to Bitcoin not as a speculative investment but as a practical necessity, literally a more stable store of value than their national currency. Similar adoption patterns have emerged across countries with unstable monetary policies or restrictive capital controls.
Some may view decentralisation as more than just a technological preference and more of a direct response to institutional failure. For example, when central banks and governments repeatedly mismanage monetary policy, people naturally tend to seek alternatives that can't be arbitrarily inflated or confiscated.
Scarcity, security & the psychology of hodling
Unlike fiat currencies that can be created indefinitely by central banks, Bitcoin introduced the concept of absolute digital scarcity: only 21 million will ever exist. Again, this fixed supply fundamentally changed how people think about money's relationship to inflation and time.
The term "HODL" (originally a typo for "hold") has evolved from crypto-community slang into a philosophy reflecting a significant psychological shift. Hodlers view cryptocurrency not as a short-term trading vehicle but as a long-term store of value, for some: digital assets worth preserving across generations.
Economist Saifedean Ammous, author of The Bitcoin Standard, argues that Bitcoin marks a return to "hard money" principles. He suggests that for most of human history, money was tied to inherently scarce resources like gold, which couldn't be artificially increased. In contrast, the widespread use of elastic fiat currencies in the 20th century is, in his view, a historical outlier. Bitcoin, with its fixed supply, reintroduces the idea of money that resists debasement.
This scarcity-based mindset has also impacted saving behaviours, particularly among younger generations. While traditional financial advisors typically recommend diversified portfolios with 3-6 months of emergency savings, many crypto adopters maintain much larger reserves, viewing fiat currency as an inherently depreciating asset and cryptocurrency as a hedge against monetary expansion.
The psychological security derived from mathematically guaranteed scarcity creates powerful emotional attachments. For many hodlers, their relationship with cryptocurrency transcends normal investment dynamics - it becomes a vote of confidence in a different economic model. This faith often persists through extreme market volatility, confounding traditional economic rationality models.
From a psychological perspective, consider this: the willingness to endure 70-80% drawdowns without selling suggests something deeper than profit motivation. For committed crypto holders, their assets represent not just potential financial gain but ideological alignment and identity. They're invested emotionally as well as financially.
Financial sovereignty and the global unbanked
For approximately 1.7 billion adults worldwide without access to banking services, cryptocurrency offers something revolutionary: financial inclusion without institutional permission. This aspect of the crypto revolution rarely makes headlines but represents one of its most profound impacts.
In regions where banking infrastructure is limited, cryptocurrency enables financial activities previously impossible:
- Cross-border remittances: Migrant workers can send money home without exorbitant fees or lengthy delays
- Savings protection: Citisens in economically unstable regions can store value beyond the reach of local currency depreciation
- Microfinance access: Blockchain-based lending platforms enable credit access without traditional banking relationships
The concept of "being your own bank" carries different significance for someone in rural Kenya than for someone in Manhattan. For the latter, it might represent philosophical alignment; for the former, it could mean the first real opportunity to participate in the global financial system.
Even in developed economies, cryptocurrency offers financial sovereignty to those facing exclusion. Sex workers, political dissidents, and others vulnerable to financial censorship have found in crypto a way to operate beyond institutional control, though, of course, this same quality raises legitimate concerns about illicit usage.
Risk, reward, and a new investment ethos
Cryptocurrency has also introduced an entirely different relationship with financial risk. Traditional investment wisdom emphasises diversification, steady appreciation, and risk mitigation. The crypto ecosystem, by contrast, has “normalised” extreme volatility, concentrated positions, and experimental financial protocols.
DeFi (decentralised finance) platforms exemplify this new investment psychology. These permissionless protocols enable users to lend, borrow, and trade directly through smart contracts, often offering yields far exceeding traditional finance but with correspondingly higher risks. The willingness to lock millions of dollars, or just hundreds, into experimental code represents a profound shift in risk tolerance.
What traditional investors might see as reckless, many crypto participants view as rational, given their time horizon and beliefs about technological adoption. If someone genuinely believes blockchain technology will transform finance, accepting short-term volatility for potential long-term exponential growth aligns with that conviction.
The future of value: identity, data, and the Metaverse
As crypto continues evolving, its impact on value perception extends into emerging domains like digital identity, data ownership, and virtual economies. Blockchain technology enables new forms of value representation far beyond simple currency.
The next frontier isn't just about money - it's about tokenising aspects of human activity that were previously outside economic systems. From attention to data to reputation, blockchain enables us to capture, measure, and exchange forms of value that were previously intangible. Enter Web3.
Several emerging trends suggest how our concept of value might further evolve:
- Digital identity as asset: Self-sovereign identity systems enable individuals to control and potentially monetise their verified credentials and reputation
- Data ownership: Blockchain-based systems allow users to control, track, and be compensated for their data rather than surrendering it to platforms
- Virtual property: As metaverse platforms develop, ownership of digital land, items, and experiences increasingly resembles traditional property rights
The integration of AI with blockchain technology particularly suggests radical possibilities. Autonomous economic agents (software that can hold assets, make transactions, and provide services) may create entirely new economic relationships not predicated on human participation at all.
Looking toward 2035-2045, we might see value systems where:
- Human attention becomes explicitly priced and compensated through micropayment systems
- Algorithmic reputation scores function as forms of capital across platforms
- Digital and physical assets become increasingly interchangeable through tokenisation
The distinction between 'real' and 'virtual' value is already dissolving. For digital natives, ownership of a rare game item or social token can feel as significant as physical possessions. As virtual experiences consume more of our time and attention, this trend will likely only accelerate.
Conclusion: the value revolution has already begun
Cryptocurrency's true revolution isn't financial - it's conceptual, transforming how we understand value itself. Beyond creating wealth or challenging institutions, crypto expands money's definition through mathematical scarcity, programmable assets, and community governance.
This philosophical shift fundamentally redefines our relationship with ownership, trust, and economic participation.
As digital and physical value boundaries blur, both opportunities and challenges emerge. Whether you participate or not, understanding these paradigm shifts will be crucial for navigating our economic future where value is increasingly defined by consensus rather than decree.
NEWS AND UPDATES
LATEST ARTICLE
Welcome to Tap’s weekly crypto market recap.
Here are the biggest stories from last week (9 - 16 June).
🚀Tap Global Group PLC to be listed on the AIM LSE
Tap Global Group is making the jump from the AQSE Growth Market to the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange on 27th June. The move will open the doors to more investors and better trading liquidity, especially after a strong year with record revenue and their first full-year profit.
No new shares are being issued, just a shift to a bigger stage!
📊 Macro markets & asset convergence, first time in 10 years
Stocks, gold, and Bitcoin are all climbing nearly in tandem - a rare occurance driven by dollar weakness (~9% drop YTD), global inflation concerns, and shifting investor sentiment toward alternative assets.
Galaxy Digital’s Novogratz noted this trend highlights a maturing crypto ecosystem and increasing institutional integration
🏛 U.S. crypto regulation momentum
Congress is advancing key crypto legislation: the CLARITY market-structure bill has passed two House committees, while the GENIUS stablecoin bill moves closer to a Senate vote. A new CFTC chair may also boost regulatory engagement.
This legislative progress dovetails with Circle’s IPO, marking a turning point toward crypto-friendly policies.
🚀 Pomp launching Bitcoin SPAC
Anthony Pompliano, a well-known crypto advocate and podcast host, is expected to become CEO of ProCapBTC, a new venture aiming to raise $750 million to purchase Bitcoin.
The initiative involves a merger with Columbus Circle Capital 1, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by investment bank Cohen & Company. The funding goal includes $500 million in equity and $250 million in convertible debt.
This move is part of a wider trend of crypto-related entities tapping into public markets amid growing optimism fueled by pro-crypto U.S. policy shifts under President Trump’s second term. If finalized, the plan would align with strategies used by firms like Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy and Japan’s Metaplanet.
Stay tuned for next week’s instalment, delivered on Monday mornings.
We’re excited to share that XTP trading is officially back online in the Tap app!
Following the successful integration of ProBit, a trusted exchange that continues to support XTP, users can now trade seamlessly within the app once again. This marks an important step in restoring access and strengthening the trading experience for our community
We know that waiting isn’t always easy, and we want to sincerely thank you for your patience and continued support throughout this transition. Your trust drives everything we do.
As always, we’re working behind the scenes to bring you more ways to access and use XTP, stay tuned for what’s next.
The Tap team.
Building a solid investment portfolio isn't just about chasing hot stocks - it's about playing smart. In today's hasty financial world, knowing how to structure your investments and plan your strategies accordingly can make or break your financial goals. So let's dive into the essentials to help you level up your portfolio game.
What is an investment portfolio?
An investment portfolio is essentially your collection of financial assets - think stocks, bonds, ETFs, real estate, and other investments all working together toward your financial goals. It's not just a random assortment of investments you've picked up along the way; it's a carefully crafted strategy designed to balance risk and reward.
The magic happens through diversification. By spreading your money across different assets that react differently to market ups and downs, you're giving yourself a better shot at riding out the lows and capitalising on the highs. Think of it as crafting a playlist: you want a mix that works together, not one song on repeat.
Experts suggest that your portfolio should align with three key elements: your tolerance for risk, your expected returns, and your personal financial objectives. When these pieces fit together properly, your portfolio becomes a powerful tool for building wealth over time rather than just a collection of random investments hoping for the best.
Why building the right portfolio matters
The difference between a well-structured portfolio and a haphazard collection of investments can literally make or break your financial future. Poor portfolio construction often leads to unnecessary losses during market downturns, missed opportunities during growth periods, and sleepless nights worrying about your financial security.
On the flip side, a thoughtfully built portfolio acts as your financial foundation - steady enough to weather storms while positioned to capture growth when markets are favourable. It's about creating a strategy that matches your personal goals and risk tolerance, not following the latest investment trend or copying what worked for someone else.
Success in investing starts with a framework tailored to you - your goals, risk tolerance, income needs, and even your personal values. It's not about the fanciest strategy; it's about one you understand and can stick to through market ups and downs.
How to build an investment portfolio
Step 1: Define your investment goals and time horizon
Before you buy your first stock or bond, you need to get crystal clear on what you're investing for. Are you building toward retirement in 30 years? Saving for a house down payment in five years? Planning for your kids' education? Each goal requires a different investment approach.
Your time horizon is crucial here. Long-term goals (10+ years) can handle more volatility because you have time to ride out market cycles. Short-term goals (under 5 years) need more conservative approaches since you can't afford to lose money right when you need it.
Here's how time influences your strategy: if you're 25 and investing for retirement, you can afford to be more aggressive with growth-focused investments. But if you're 55 and need that money in 10 years, you'll want a more balanced approach with some stability mixed in.
Connect your goal-setting to your risk profile. Aggressive growth goals require accepting higher volatility, while conservative income goals call for steadier, lower-risk investments. Many investors aim to align their goals, timeline, and risk tolerance to create a more coherent strategy.
Step 2: Understand your risk tolerance
Risk tolerance isn't just about how much money you can afford to lose - it's about how much volatility you can stomach without making emotional decisions that hurt your long-term success. Some investors sleep soundly while their portfolio swings 20% up or down; others lose sleep over 5% movements.
Ask yourself: How would you feel if your portfolio dropped 25% in a year? Would you panic and sell everything, or would you see it as a buying opportunity? Your honest answer reveals more about your risk tolerance than any questionnaire.
Conservative investors typically prefer stability over growth potential. They're comfortable with lower returns in exchange for predictable outcomes and fewer sleepless nights. Aggressive investors, on the other hand, are willing to accept significant ups and downs for the potential of higher long-term returns.
Consider using this simple scale: if market volatility makes you constantly check your account and lose sleep, you're probably a conservative investor. If you can ignore short-term swings and focus on long-term trends, you might be more aggressive. Most people fall somewhere in between - and that's perfectly fine.
Step 3: Choose your asset allocation
According to several studies, asset allocation has been shown to explain the majority of return variability in a portfolio.. This is where you decide how to split your money between different asset classes based on your goals and risk tolerance.
The main asset classes include:
- Equities: Stocks and ETFs offer growth potential but come with higher volatility
- Fixed income: Government and corporate bonds provide stability and steady income
- Real assets: Real estate and commodities help hedge against inflation
- Cash & equivalents: Keep this for liquidity and as a safety net
- Alternative investments: Private equity, hedge funds, and digital assets add diversification
Strategic allocation sets your long-term targets (like 70% stocks, 30% bonds), while tactical allocation allows for short-term adjustments based on market conditions. Most successful investors stick primarily to their strategic allocation.
Here are three examples of diversification in portfolios:
- Cautious: 40% stocks, 50% bonds, 10% cash - prioritises stability
- Balanced: 60% stocks, 30% bonds, 10% alternatives - moderate growth with some protection
- Adventurous: 80% stocks, 15% alternatives, 5% cash - maximum growth potential
Remember, there's no universally "right" allocation - only what's right for your specific situation and goals. Please contact a financial advisor for portfolio recommendations specific to you.
Step 4: Diversify within asset classes
Once you've set your overall asset allocation, it's time to diversify within each category. This means spreading your risk across different sectors, regions, company sizes, and investment styles rather than putting all your money into similar investments.
For your stock allocation, consider diversifying across:
- Sectors: Don't overload on tech or any single industry
- Geography: Mix domestic and international markets
- Market cap: Blend large, mid, and small-cap companies
- Investment styles: Combine growth and value approaches
Bond diversification works similarly. Mix different types of bonds like corporate bonds for yield, government bonds for safety, and varying maturities from short-term to long-term. Municipal bonds can add tax advantages for higher-income investors.
Geographic diversification helps reduce the impact of local economic problems. If the U.S. market struggles, international investments might still perform well. Sector allocation prevents you from getting crushed if one industry hits hard times - remember how concentrated tech portfolios suffered in 2022.
The goal isn't to own everything, but to avoid having your entire portfolio's success dependent on any single factor. This approach helps smooth out returns over time and reduces the chance of catastrophic losses.
Step 5: Pick your investments (stocks, funds, ETFs, etc.)
Now comes the tactical phase: choosing specific investments within your allocation framework. You've got several options, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks.
Individual stocks give you complete control and the potential for outsized returns, but they require significant research and carry higher risk. Unless you're prepared to thoroughly analyse companies and monitor your holdings regularly, individual stocks probably shouldn't dominate your portfolio.
Mutual funds offer professional management and instant diversification. Active funds try to beat the market through stock picking and timing, while passive funds simply track market indexes. The trade-off? Active funds charge higher fees and rarely beat their benchmarks long-term.
ETFs combine the best of both worlds: broad diversification like mutual funds with the flexibility to trade like stocks. They typically have lower fees than mutual funds and offer exposure to virtually any market segment you can imagine.
Pay attention to fees - they compound over time and can significantly impact your returns. A fund charging 1.5% annually will cost you much more over decades than one charging 0.1%. Low-cost index funds and ETFs are often favoured by long-term investors for their diversification and lower fees.
Step 6: Consider tax implications and account types
Taxes can seriously eat into your investment returns if you're not strategic about account types and asset location. The key is understanding which investments to hold in which accounts.
Tax-deferred accounts let your investments grow without annual tax consequences, but you'll pay taxes when you withdraw. On the other hand, for some accounts you pay tax upfront and enjoy tax-free growth down the line. Be sure to fully understand the tax implications before investing.
Taxable accounts offer flexibility since you can access your money anytime, but you'll owe taxes on dividends and capital gains each year. The trick is putting the right investments in the right accounts.
Some investors choose to place tax-inefficient assets in tax-deferred accounts to potentially reduce tax drag.
Asset location strategy can add significant value over time.
Step 7: Monitor and rebalance your portfolio regularly
Your portfolio isn't a 'set-it-and-forget-it' deal - it needs regular check-ins to stay aligned with your goals. Market movements will naturally shift your allocation over time, and your personal situation will evolve too.
Rebalancing means adjusting your holdings back to your target allocation. If stocks have performed well and now represent 80% of your portfolio instead of your target 70%, you'd sell some stocks and buy more bonds to get back on track.
You can rebalance on a schedule (annually or quarterly) or when your allocation drifts beyond certain thresholds (like 5% away from targets). Both approaches work - consistency matters more than the exact method.
Some investors use tax-loss harvesting to offset gains and manage capital gains taxes, though results depend on individual tax situations.
Remember, the goal isn't perfect timing or constant tweaking. It's maintaining discipline and keeping your portfolio working toward your long-term objectives rather than getting caught up in short-term market noise.
Common mistakes to avoid when building a portfolio
Even experienced investors fall into these traps, but knowing what to watch for can keep you on track.
Emotional decision-making tops the list. Market swings can spark impulsive choices, but sticking to your strategy is what separates successful investors from the crowd. Discipline beats panic every time. When markets crash, successful investors either stay the course or see buying opportunities.
Insufficient diversification is another classic mistake. Putting all your money into familiar assets or one sector might feel safe, but it leaves you exposed to unnecessary risks. Spread it out across different asset classes, sectors, and geographies to protect yourself.
Overconfidence bias catches many investors who've had recent success. Just because you've had wins in the past doesn't mean you've cracked the market code. Markets change constantly - stay humble, adaptable, and stick to proven principles rather than assuming you can consistently beat the market.
Don't forget about fees and taxes either. High-cost investments and tax-inefficient strategies can quietly drain your returns over time, making a huge difference in your long-term wealth building.
The bottom line
Portfolio management is a journey, not a one-time task. By focusing on the essentials, staying disciplined, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can build a portfolio that works toward your goals and lets you sleep easily at night. Remember, the best portfolio is one you understand and can stick with through all market conditions - that consistency will serve you far better than any complex strategy you can't maintain.
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Picture this: Bitcoin soaring past previous all-time highs, altcoins experiencing triple-digit gains, and institutional money flooding into digital assets at unprecedented rates. Sound familiar? These are the hallmarks of crypto bull runs that have minted fortunes and reshaped entire industries.
But here's the trillion-dollar question: Is 2025 going to be the year of the next great crypto bull run?
Looking at the facts: Wall Street titans are accumulating Bitcoin through newly approved ETFs. Central banks worldwide are pivoting their monetary policies. Blockchain technology is finally delivering on its promises with real-world applications that extend far beyond simple speculation.
Meanwhile, a new generation of crypto projects is solving actual problems (from decentralising physical infrastructure to tokenising trillion-dollar asset classes).
While we’re witnessing a natural part of any market cycle; we're also observing the meeting of technological maturity, institutional acceptance, and macroeconomic conditions that historically precede the most explosive growth phases in cryptocurrency history.
Let’s explore whether the stage is being set for another “explosive” crypto bull run.
What defines a bull run in crypto?
A crypto bull run represents a sustained period of rising prices across digital assets, typically accompanied by increased trading volumes, heightened retail interest, and positive market sentiment.
Unlike traditional markets, crypto bull runs are often characterised by their intensity and duration, with assets sometimes experiencing gains of several hundred percent over relatively short periods.
Let’s use historical examples for reference: the 2017 bull run saw Bitcoin rise from under $1,000 to nearly $20,000, while the 2021 cycle pushed Bitcoin to over $69,000 and sparked unprecedented growth in alternative cryptocurrencies.
These periods were marked by mainstream media attention, institutional adoption milestones, and significant increases in new wallet creation and transaction volumes.
Key indicators of a bull market include sustained price appreciation across major cryptocurrencies, increased trading volumes, growing total value locked (TVL) in decentralised finance protocols, and heightened retail participation evidenced by exchange sign-ups and social media engagement metrics.
Is 2025 the next bull run year? Current market snapshot
The numbers tell a compelling story. Bitcoin has not only demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout 2025 but has done so while institutional demand reaches new heights. The spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in early 2024 continue to attract substantial capital inflows, creating a direct bridge between Wall Street and digital assets that simply didn't exist in previous cycles.
And this institutional momentum is rippling across the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Major altcoins have posted impressive year-to-date gains, while the regulatory pipeline remains packed with additional ETF applications, including potential products for XRP, Dogecoin, and other established digital assets. Each approval expands the on-ramp for traditional capital seeking cryptocurrency exposure.
Meanwhile, the underlying infrastructure is showing clear signs of renewed vitality. DeFi protocols have witnessed a resurgence in total value locked, signalling that users are actively deploying capital into decentralised financial services rather than merely holding tokens.
Exchange volumes have also consistently remained elevated compared to the bear market lows, indicating sustained engagement from both retail traders and institutional participants.
Perhaps most tellingly, this activity is occurring without the speculative frenzy that characterised previous market peaks, suggesting a more mature, sustainable foundation for potential growth ahead.
Top signals indicating a bull market in 2025
Several key indicators suggest the cryptocurrency market may be entering or approaching a bull phase in 2025. As mentioned above, institutional adoption continues to accelerate, with traditional financial institutions expanding their cryptocurrency offerings. The ongoing discussion around national Bitcoin reserves and sovereign wealth fund allocations also represents a significant shift in how institutions are thinking about digital assets.
Macroeconomic factors also appear supportive, with central bank policies potentially creating favourable conditions for alternative assets. And the expansion of global liquidity and discussions around interest rate trajectories could have an effect on investor appetite for higher-risk, higher-reward assets like cryptocurrencies.
Stablecoin market capitalisation has also grown substantially, serving as a proxy for capital ready to be deployed into crypto markets.
Looking at technical indicators, these suggest a potential shift from Bitcoin dominance toward increased altcoin activity, historically a characteristic of bull market phases. This rotation often signals broader market participation and the beginning of what market participants call "altcoin season."
People also asked: key questions around 2025's bull run
What is driving the 2025 crypto market recovery?
It’s not just hype, it’s momentum backed by major shifts. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have cracked open the door to institutional money, and regulatory clarity has turned question marks into green lights.
On top of that, governments are exploring Bitcoin as a treasury asset, and legacy industries are weaving blockchain into their tech stacks - and the result appears to be a market increasingly shaped by adoption, real-world applications, and broader institutional engagement.
Is it too late to invest in crypto in 2025?
Not necessarily. If historical patterns hold, there could still be opportunities within the current cycle, though past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Bear in mind that crypto markets tend to move in waves, and each wave brings fresh opportunities across different sectors and tokens.
With the market now more mature and diversified, investors are no longer limited to chasing just Bitcoin. Timing the top is nearly impossible, but missing the entire ride? That’s a choice.
What are the top altcoins to watch in 2025?
We’re not here to give financial advice. What we can encourage you to look out for are platforms demonstrating real-world usage, developer activity, and institutional partnerships, particularly ones that have garnered increased attention.
Let’s take a look at the developmental space as an example: Ethereum's continued evolution through its layer-2 scaling solutions, Solana's growing application ecosystem, and Cardano's academic approach to blockchain development represent different approaches to solving scalability and adoption challenges.
It's safe to say that investors in 2025 are paying close attention to utility, partnerships, and ecosystem depth, not just price charts.
Will regulation help or hurt the bull run?
Regulatory developments present both opportunities and risks for the cryptocurrency market. Clear frameworks can provide institutional investors with the confidence needed to allocate capital, while overly restrictive measures could dampen innovation and adoption.
The ongoing development of stablecoin regulations and international coordination on cryptocurrency policies will likely continue to influence market dynamics throughout 2025. Keep reading, keep staying informed.
Top narratives fueling the 2025 bull run
A range of powerful tech trends and adoption themes are currently driving renewed momentum in the cryptocurrency space. Here’s a closer look at what’s gaining traction:
The intersection of AI and blockchain
The integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain is opening up new frontiers with AI-driven applications built on blockchain networks, enabling more secure, transparent, and decentralised data processing.
This fusion is attracting significant venture capital and top-tier development talent, particularly in areas like decentralised machine learning, predictive analytics, and trustless automation.
Decentralised infrastructure: the rise of DePIN
Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) are creating new economic models for real-world infrastructure. By using blockchain incentives, these projects decentralise everything from wireless connectivity to energy grids.
Instead of relying on centralised providers, DePIN networks reward individuals and communities for building and maintaining critical infrastructure, laying the groundwork for more resilient systems.
Web3 gaming and the evolving metaverse
Web3 gaming continues to mature, shifting away from early speculation toward sustainable economic models and improved user experiences. Games are integrating NFTs and tokenised assets in ways that enhance gameplay, rather than distract from it. This evolution is drawing interest from both mainstream users and institutional investors, as gaming platforms begin to offer real value ownership and more immersive digital economies.
Tokenisation of Real-World Assets (RWAs)
Real-world asset tokenisation is becoming a key area of focus for both crypto-native projects and traditional financial institutions.
By bringing assets like real estate, bonds, and equities onto the blockchain, these initiatives are unlocking liquidity and improving access to previously siloed markets. This has the potential to bridge traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi), while creating more transparent, efficient systems for asset management and trading.
Scalability and utility: Layer-2s and liquid staking
Scalability and network efficiency remain essential to long-term adoption. Layer-2 scaling solutions (for example, rollups) are dramatically improving transaction speeds and lowering costs on networks like Ethereum, without compromising security.
At the same time, liquid staking protocols are enabling users to earn staking rewards while retaining access to their assets, making it easier to participate in network security without locking up funds. These solutions are pushing blockchain closer to mainstream usability.
Historical patterns: what past bull runs teach us
Cryptocurrency markets have historically followed cyclical patterns, often aligned with Bitcoin's four-year halving schedule. These cycles typically feature a period of accumulation following major price corrections, followed by gradual recovery and eventual explosive growth phases.
Analysis of past bull runs shows a thread of common characteristics, usually including progressive institutional adoption, mainstream media coverage, and the emergence of new use cases and applications. Technical indicators such as relative strength index (RSI) and exponential moving averages (EMA) have also been known to provide useful insights into market momentum and potential turning points.
The maturation of cryptocurrency markets has led to some evolution in these patterns, with increased institutional participation potentially leading to less volatile but more sustained growth phases compared to earlier cycles.
Risks and contrarian views
Despite positive indicators, there are, of course, several factors that could derail or delay a potential bull market. Regulatory uncertainty remains a significant risk, particularly regarding potential restrictions on cryptocurrency trading, staking, or mining activities. Changes in monetary policy or unexpected macroeconomic shocks could also redirect capital flows away from risk assets, as we’ve seen happen in recent months.
While the outlook for crypto in 2025 is promising, it’s important to stay grounded. History shows that periods of rapid growth can also attract speculative excess, which often leads to sharp corrections. Given crypto’s relatively small market size compared to traditional asset classes, it remains particularly sensitive to shifts in sentiment and large capital flows.
On the technology front, challenges still exist. Security vulnerabilities, scaling bottlenecks, or network failures can quickly erode trust, not just in individual projects, but across the ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the growing development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) presents a new kind of competition. Their potential to reshape how people interact with digital money could influence how (and where) cryptocurrencies find their place in the global financial system.
Final thoughts: How to prepare for a potential bull market in 2025
For those looking to enter or expand their position in crypto, education and risk management should take priority over chasing short-term gains. A clear understanding of how the technology works, how regulations are evolving, and what drives market cycles is essential to navigating this space with confidence.
Diversifying across different sectors, from infrastructure and DeFi to gaming and real-world asset tokenisation, can help balance risk while keeping exposure to growth potential. Just as important is keeping your assets secure in a market where transactions can’t be reversed.
Crypto is steadily moving toward institutional maturity, with greater regulatory clarity and more traditional players entering the market. That said, it remains a space defined by both innovation and volatility, factors that continue to attract interest from participants willing to engage with long-term uncertainty.
Whether 2025 becomes a landmark year for digital assets or simply another phase in a longer journey, the building blocks for long-term value are clearly taking shape.
Ultimately, success in this market often comes down to staying informed, staying patient, and having a strategy rooted in long-term thinking rather than short-term speculation. Crypto continues to reward those who approach it with diligence and discipline, especially when others are distracted by the noise.
If you're looking for a smart way to get more out of your money, here's a little insider tip: locking XTP tokens in the Tap app could be a game-changer. It’s a quick, no-fuss move that unlocks premium features, slashes your fees, and gives you access to exclusive perks (just for being a savvy user). We’re all about helping make your money work harder for you, without jumping through hoops.
Let’s talk about it: the power of premium tiers
Locking your XTP isn’t just about holding onto digital assets, it’s your key to real, everyday savings. Essentially, the more XTP you lock, the more perks you unlock. It really is just a straightforward tiered system that rewards you.
Real-world savings: where you'll see the difference
Lower trading fees
Every transaction costs less when you lock XTP for a premium account, creating significant savings for active traders. The higher your tier, the more you save on each trade, keeping more profits in your wallet where they belong.
Example: A trader making €10,000 in monthly transactions could save hundreds in fees annually by moving from Essential to Plus tier, and thousands by reaching Premier or higher tiers.
Cashback rewards that add up
Getting up to 8% Cashback on your purchases isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s like getting a discount every time you spend. No extra steps, just more value back in your pocket.
- Coffee runs: Daily €5 coffee becomes €4.60 with the Prestige tier (8% back)
- Weekly groceries: €200 shopping trip returns €16 with Platinum tier (6% back)
- Major purchases: €1,000 electronics purchase gives you €40 back with Premier tier (4% back)
Even at the Plus tier (€300 worth of XTP locked), your 1.5% Cashback quickly adds up, especially for regular spenders.
Fee-free ATM withdrawals
Premium tiers include greater ATM withdrawal limits, saving you those pesky fees that add up quickly:
- Prestige: Unlimited free withdrawals
- Platinum: €1,000 free monthly withdrawals
- Other Premium Tiers: free monthly withdrawals up to €500.
This benefit alone can save hundreds annually for frequent travellers or cash users.
Foreign exchange rate advantages
As a premium member, you get access to exclusive exchange rates when you're travelling or shopping internationally. The higher your tier, the better the rates, meaning you can save big on every global purchase you make.
Maximising your XTP strategy
Step 1: Calculate your spending patterns
Analyse your monthly expenses across categories like everyday purchases, trading activity, and ATM usage to determine which tier offers you the best return on your locked XTP.
Step 2: Consider your lock-up timeline
The beauty of XTP locking is flexibility - you're not permanently parting with your assets but rather unlocking access to a full suite of premium features while still maintaining full control.. Note that the lock-in time frame is one year.
Step 3: Start your journey
Begin with a tier that matches your comfort level and upgrade as you experience the benefits firsthand:
- Download the Tap app and verify your account
- Buy your desired amount of XTP
- Select Upgrade from the bottom menu on the home screen
- Choose your desired plan and follow the instructions.
Additional premium perks
Your locked XTP doesn't just save you money, it elevates your entire financial experience:
- Priority support: Direct access to premium fast track assistance when you need it
- Higher spending limits: Up to €30,000 monthly card spending limits for Prestige members
- Exclusive market insights: Premium crypto market newsletters and insights
- Multi-currency capabilities: Seamless management of various currencies
The bottom line
Whether you're a casual user or power trader, there's a premium tier designed to put more money back in your pocket through reduced fees, enhanced Cashback, and exclusive benefits that add real value to your financial journey.
For those willing to stake their claim in the premium territory, the rewards are clear: reduced fees, elevated features, and an experience built for those who demand more from their money.
Galxe is a Web3 credential infrastructure platform transforming how digital identity and community engagement function within the blockchain ecosystem. By creating a decentralised platform where users can build, manage, and monetise their digital credentials, Galxe bridges the gap between blockchain projects, communities, and individual users.
In a digital landscape where trust and verifiable achievements are increasingly important, Galxe is here to provide a transparent, user-owned solution that allows both projects and participants to engage in meaningful ways. Let’s explore how Galxe is shaping the Web3 space.
TLDR
- Credential infrastructure: Galxe provides a decentralised platform for creating, managing, and monetising digital credentials.
- Community engagement: Enables blockchain projects to reward and incentivise user participation through verifiable achievements.
- Multi-chain support: Operates across multiple blockchain networks, enhancing interoperability and accessibility.
What is Galxe all about?
Galxe was founded in 2021 by Harry (Hay) Jiang and Kevin Wang to improve how digital identities and community contributions are recognised in blockchain networks. Traditional social and professional networks often struggle to reflect the decentralised nature of Web3 communities, and Galxe aims to bridge this gap.
The platform helps blockchain projects build stronger, more engaged communities by providing transparent and verifiable ways to reward user participation. Unlike traditional loyalty programs, Galxe’s credential system gives users full ownership of their achievements, ensuring a fair and user-focused approach to digital identity.
How does the Galxe platform work?
Galxe’s architecture revolves around several key components that work together to create a comprehensive credential ecosystem:
Credential Protocol
At the heart of Galxe is its Credential Protocol, which allows projects to design and issue both on-chain and off-chain credentials. These credentials represent a wide range of achievements, from completing specific tasks to maintaining long-term community participation.
The platform employs a decentralised storage mechanism for these credentials, ensuring they remain secure and resistant to centralised control or manipulation. Additionally, each credential is cryptographically signed, guaranteeing authenticity and preventing tampering.
GAL Token
GAL, the token for Galxe (formerly Project Galaxy), is an Ethereum-based ERC-20 token, meaning it operates on the Ethereum blockchain. The native token, used for both governance and utility, allows holders to vote on platform decisions, stake their tokens, and unlock various features.
Unlike regular utility tokens, GAL is designed to benefit everyone, from projects and developers to community members, by creating a fair and rewarding system for all.
Galxe ID
Galxe ID is a unique digital identity system that aggregates a user’s credentials across multiple blockchain networks. Think of it as a comprehensive, blockchain-based resume that showcases your Web3 journey and achievements. This identity system provides users with a portable and verifiable digital reputation, making it easier for them to leverage their credentials across different ecosystems.
How does Galxe protect user data and credentials?
Galxe prioritises user privacy and data security through several innovative ways:
- Decentralised storage: Credentials are stored across distributed networks, preventing single points of failure and ensuring long-term data integrity.
- Cryptographic verification: Each credential is cryptographically signed, which prevents tampering and guarantees authenticity.
- User control: Users have complete ownership over their credentials, deciding what to share and with whom. This approach eliminates reliance on centralised entities, giving individuals greater control over their digital identity.
The advantages of the Galxe platform
Galxe offers several compelling advantages for both blockchain projects and individual users:
- Enhanced community engagement: Projects can design targeted incentive programs that genuinely reward meaningful participation, increasing user retention and interaction.
- Portable identity: Users can carry their achievements across different platforms and blockchain networks, making their digital credentials more valuable and widely recognised.
- Monetisation opportunities: Developers can create credential-based marketplaces and innovative reward systems, enabling new economic models in the Web3 space.
- Low barrier to entry: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive tools that make Web3 more accessible to newcomers without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
GAL use cases
The Galxe network supports a variety of use cases across different domains:
- Blockchain projects: Create loyalty programs, airdrops, and community engagement initiatives using verifiable credentials.
- NFT communities: Verify and reward active community members, improving engagement and long-term participation.
- DeFi platforms: Design reputation-based lending or staking mechanisms, reducing risks for both lenders and borrowers.
- Gaming: Implement achievement systems with real, transferable value, allowing players to monetise their in-game progress.
How to Buy GAL
Users looking to buy or sell GAL can do so through the Tap app, provided you have a verified account. Simply download the app, complete the account set-up and verification process, and begin trading GAL using your preferred crypto or fiat currency.
Conclusion
Galxe is a platform designed to enhance digital identity and community participation in the blockchain space. By offering a transparent, user-owned credential system, it allows projects and individuals to create verifiable digital experiences and correlate that information across the entire ecosystem.
As blockchain technology develops, credential-based systems like Galxe may play a pivotal role in shaping Web3 interactions. It provides tools for developers, project owners, and users to engage with blockchain ecosystems in a structured way.