Fidelity Digital Assets has released its latest report, which highlights the rapidly changing cryptocurrency market and presents an optimistic outlook for the industry in 2025. The report emphasizes the importance of Bitcoin adoption, Ethereum upgrades, and the increasing global interest in digital assets.
Fidelity warns that countries that do not engage with Bitcoin (BTC) may face significant challenges in maintaining economic stability and competitiveness in the digital era.
Matt Hogan predicts that by 2025, there will be a shift in the acceptance and adoption of Bitcoin by nation-states, central banks, and other financial entities, inspired by the success of Bhutan and El Salvador in establishing strategic Bitcoin positions. El Salvador made headlines in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, setting a bold example for other nations.
He further stated that “Facing challenges such as debilitating inflation, currency debasement, and increasingly crushing fiscal deficits, not allocating any Bitcoin could become more of a risk to nations than making an allocation.”
Global shifts are evident as Russia uses Bitcoin for international transactions but hesitates to adopt it as a reserve asset. Meanwhile, Japan is concerned about Bitcoin’s liquidity and market volatility. Matt Hogan’s analogy suggests that these nations may encounter further challenges as they attempt to protect themselves from Bitcoin’s volatility.
Hogan further referenced that both President-elect Donald Trump and Senator Cynthia Lummis have been vocal in their support for establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the U.S. Senator Lummis took a significant step by introducing the Bitcoin Act of 2024 to the Senate in July 2024. If this bill is enacted, it is believed that the political and financial dynamics could pressure other nations to adopt similar strategies, potentially creating a ripple effect in global economic policy.
A Shift from Speculation to Adoption
Fidelity’s report echoes the sentiment of economist Carlota Perez, who describes the shift from speculative investment booms to the widespread adoption of new technologies. Just as the railroad and oil industries reshaped economies in the past, Bitcoin and digital assets are poised to transform entire sectors, ranging from finance to communications.
Fidelity also explores Bitcoin’s potential role in a stagflationary environment, a scenario that has yet to occur but remains a possibility. A stagflationary environment refers to an economic situation characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of stagnation and inflation. The company draws comparisons to the performance of gold during the 1970s and early 1980s when stagflation gripped the global economy. Bitcoin’s limited supply and decentralized nature could make it a strong hedge against inflation and a store of value during periods of economic stagnation.
Martha Reyes, a Research Analyst at Fidelity, highlights that stablecoins have emerged as a leading use case for blockchain technology, offering liquidity and access to USD-pegged tokens in a dollar-driven global economy. With $12 trillion in transfer value in December 2024, stablecoins facilitate faster, cheaper global payments and are crucial in remittances, cross-border payments, and a stable store of value.
The demand for USD-pegged stablecoins is fueled by the Eurodollar market, reflecting the dollar’s status as a global reserve currency. Stablecoins, such as Tether, are poised to complement this market and drive global funding. The analyst highlighted that stablecoins provide a more efficient payment system, lowering transaction costs and enabling Layer 2 solutions for broader blockchain use cases. With the EU’s 2024 regulations offering legal protections, stablecoins are expected to integrate further with traditional financial systems, reinforcing the dollar’s dominance in global trade in 2025.