As the crypto industry inches closer to 2025, experts are divided on whether the year will mark the beginning of mass retail adoption of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the U.S.
Roundtable anchor, Rob Nelson, kicked off that discussion, probing the likelihood of this significant shift. Joining him are David Duong, Head of Institutional Research at Coinbase, Noah Newton, Founder of Moby Media, and Kelly Kellam of BitLab Academy, each bringing their unique perspectives on what the future may hold.
Rob Nelson opened the discussion, questioning whether 2025 would mark a turning point for mass retail adoption in the U.S. Coinbase’s David Duong suggested that the regulatory environment could improve significantly, fostering increased retail participation. He noted the growing bipartisanship in the U.S. regarding crypto regulation, which could lead to a more favorable climate regardless of the political landscape.
Noah Newton was more cautious, expressing doubts that 2025 would be the year of mass adoption. He emphasized the need for regulatory clarity and argued that while interest in bitcoin might grow, the broader crypto market still faces challenges, particularly around the utility of many tokens. He pointed out that much of the crypto space remains speculative, with few projects offering real-world solutions.
Kelly Kellam brought a different perspective, comparing the adoption of bitcoin to the early days of the internet. He argued that while mass adoption might not be immediate, the pace of bitcoin adoption has already outstripped that of the internet in its early years. Kellam suggested that by 2030, we could see over a billion users, driven by the increasing demand for bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
David Duong concluded by agreeing with the need for improved user experience and highlighted emerging use cases like stablecoins and tokenization that could bridge crypto with the real world. He also mentioned the potential for decentralized physical infrastructure to become a significant sector within the next few years, signaling a gradual but meaningful shift toward broader adoption.
