The Web3 community had plenty to say on all things crypto this week. Continue reading to learn more.
APAC, not the US, is crypto’s growth engine
“Bitcoin’s price surge is more than just a market cycle—it’s a clear signal of growing institutional conviction. This institutional momentum is creating a ripple effect, signalling confidence to the broader market and lowering the perceived risk for web2 enterprises looking to enter Web3.
“While focus is currently on U.S. regulation, the Asia Pacific region is home to some of crypto’s fastest-growing communities and consumer hubs. Markets like Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia are seeing rapid growth in crypto adoption, often with more progressive regulatory frameworks.
“Influenced by this regional activity, global companies are increasingly considering Web3 strategies – especially those that want to stay competitive across emerging economies. We’re already seeing more global brands exploring Web3 activations—from loyalty programs to tokenized communities and, unlike previous cycles, these companies are entering a far more mature ecosystem.
“The infrastructure, compliance tools, and growth platforms that exist today make it significantly easier for Web2 teams to experiment, measure, and scale in Web3.
“Of course, macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory issues will always present hurdles. But if current trends hold, we’re likely to see crypto—led by Bitcoin—cement itself as a core component of institutional portfolios and corporate brand strategies by the end of 2025.”
– Charles Wayn, co-founder of Web3 growth platform Galxe
“APAC’s running laps around the U.S. when it comes to crypto growth. Why? For starters, countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and even Japan are creating clear rules instead of just regulating by lawsuit. Plus, retail adoption is way higher, and people use crypto for payments, savings, remittances, not just speculation.
“There’s also serious institutional interest, especially from tech-savvy banks and conglomerates that aren’t scared to experiment. Meanwhile, in the US, everything feels stuck in limbo. You’ve got innovation, sure, but it’s constantly waiting on lawsuits, elections, or the next SEC mood swing.”
– Blake Jeong, co-CEO of IOST
Bitcoin is the blueprint for a free internet
“The Bitcoin rally we’re seeing this week isn’t just a reflection of the industry’s excitement about regulatory clarity; it’s about much more than that. It’s a sign investors are rallying behind decentralization, and it’s proof that a trustless, borderless alternative to fiat money does work.
“But Bitcoin’s success isn’t the end of the story. With anticipation building around what Crypto Week will bring, the crypto industry should be looking to Bitcoin as a blueprint for a decentralized internet. Bitcoin shows that money doesn’t need big centralized institutions, so why allow Big Tech to control the world’s data?
“With regulatory clarity on the horizon, the path is clearing for those building new decentralized solutions to compete with legacy infrastructure in the same way Bitcoin emerged as an alternative to fiat. But it is important that the rules in place are fit for purpose for the entire crypto industry, not just the most popular parts of it, like stablecoins.
“The CLARITY Act is incredibly important, but passing the bill won’t be enough. Ensuring that it truly supports innovation in the entire crypto industry will be the real test. Bitcoin showed us that success is possible, but the real work to achieve it begins now.”
Sebastian Pfeiffer, managing director of Impossible Cloud Network
“Bitcoin is the blueprint for a free internet because it’s the only digital system that’s truly neutral; no one can change the rules, pause the network, or block access. That matters now more than ever.
“As Bitcoin DeFi grows, the need for bridging solutions that respect core principles such as trust minimization, transparency, and censorship resistance is critical. You can’t bolt DeFi onto Bitcoin using centralized band-aids. The infrastructure must match Bitcoin’s ethos.
“We are laying the groundwork for an internet where users actually own and control their assets – no middlemen, no gatekeepers, just code and consensus. That’s real freedom.
“This week, we announced that our BitVM Bridge has officially launched on Mainnet. As the first functional application based on the BitVM paradigm, Bitlayer BitVM Bridge delivers a trust-minimized bridging solution for Bitcoin holders, addressing critical demands as Bitcoin DeFi scales toward maturity. By eliminating reliance on centralized intermediaries, the bridge ensures all transactions remain verifiable, secure, and decentralized.”
– Kevin He, co-founder of Bitlayer
Can Bitcoin Hit $150,000 in 2025?
“Despite widespread forecasts of imminent rate cuts, inflation in major economies remains persistently above target, prompting central banks to hold policy rates higher for longer. This tight monetary environment has limited liquidity across risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
“Historically, Bitcoin has flourished when borrowing costs were low and capital abundant. Unless there is a decisive shift toward more favorable financial conditions, the macroeconomic backdrop is likely to constrain speculative flows.
“While some regulatory frameworks have advanced, the policy landscape remains fragmented. Proposals to broaden the definition of securities in the United States and stricter compliance regimes in Europe have created uncertainty for exchanges and institutional investors.
“Even jurisdictions considered relatively crypto-friendly are implementing more rigorous reporting standards. This patchwork of regulation has tempered enthusiasm among large asset managers, who prefer clear and consistent rules before committing significant capital.”
“Although institutional exposure has increased through ETFs and custody services, most allocations remain modest relative to traditional asset classes. Concerns about volatility, operational risk, and compliance continue to limit more substantial commitments.
“Senior executives at major banks have reiterated their cautious stance, describing crypto as an area of interest but not yet a strategic priority. Without a broad shift in institutional sentiment, it is unlikely that inflows alone will propel Bitcoin to $150,000 swiftly.
“Bitcoin’s market has matured considerably, with improved liquidity and participation by professional trading firms. This evolution has reduced volatility compared to past cycles, a sign of a more resilient market, but also a factor that can dampen large speculative moves.
“Following significant gains this year, many long-term holders have realized profits, thereby adding to the market’s supply. Without sustained fresh demand, this selling pressure could keep prices range-bound rather than driving a decisive breakout.”
– Andrejs Balans, risk manager, YouHodler
“While no one can predict the future with absolute certainty, what we can say is that all the pieces are in place for a BTC rally. The U.S. dollar continues to show weakness, which feeds right into the core narrative of Bitcoin as an alternative store of value.
“You’ve got other factors in play too, such as BTCFi becoming a powerful growth driver as people seek ways to earn real BTC yield. Given all that, and the fact that we’re less than 25% away from $150,000, that milestone becomes very attainable.”
Kevin Liu, co-founder and CEO of goat.network, a Bitcoin-native ZK Rollup offering sustainable BTC yield
ETH will outpace Bitcoin from here
“Seeing Ethereum (ETH) breaking out above $3,100 during a Bitcoin (BTC) dip isn’t just market noise – we are finally seeing the cyclical shift in Bitcoin dominance that signals the start of ETH’s outperformance. And the most promising part is that this growth is, maybe for the first time, not fueled by hype, but by tangible institutional behavior.
“In the past month alone, corporate treasury purchases have added over $1.6 billion in ETH, with firms like Sharplink Gaming (280,000 ETH), BitMine (163,142 ETH), and Bit Digital (100,000+ ETH) committing to Ethereum as a core balance sheet asset.
“Rather than just a speculative instrument, ETH is becoming a yield-bearing, programmable financial asset that institutions view as a store of value. This is a really important factor for ETH price, as treasury allocations reduce circulating supply and signal long-term confidence.
“We are also witnessing a pivotal moment in regulation. In the US, digital asset policy is now a priority at the highest levels, and this new legal clarity will bring broader capital inflows attracted by regulated access to ETH’s yield and infrastructure.
“And all this is happening at a time when Ethereum is becoming the backbone of tokenized finance.
“The total value of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) on Ethereum has surpassed $7.7 billion and keeps growing – even in market downturns. With institutions racing to bring stable liquidity on-chain for new yield opportunities, it is a strong signal that Ethereum holds 58% of the global RWA market.
“So if the next ETH rally is backed by big money flowing into Ethereum-powered financial rails, we’re not only going to see ETH’s price go higher, but decentralized finance evolving into real financial infrastructure.”
– Kevin Rusher, founder of Real World Asset (RWA) borrowing and lending ecosystem RAAC
“ETH is outpacing Bitcoin lately because it’s not just a store of value, it actually does stuff. With staking rewards, smart contracts, and real DeFi activity, Ethereum feels more like a tech platform than digital gold. Institutions are eyeing its utility and yield potential, especially as staking goes mainstream. We’ve also seen ETH ETFs outperforming BTC ETFs, driven by substantial inflows from asset managers and prospective ETF issuers.
“Overall, there is huge confidence in Ethereum as a yield-generating asset. One unique selling point is that, unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum is programmable. As staking keeps gaining traction, institutional investors seem increasingly open to putting money into ETH-focused products, betting on steady on-chain yields and growth tied to real network usage.”
– Amir Forouzani, co-founder of Puffer Labs