Market Overview
The cryptocurrency market in 2024 achieved unprecedented milestones, driven by institutional adoption, technological innovation, and regulatory clarity. Key highlights include:
- Bitcoin’s Historic Surge: BTC surpassed $100,000, propelling the total market cap to nearly **$3.8 trillion**.
- ETF Expansion: BTC spot ETFs grew to $105.4 billion AUM**, while ETH spot ETFs reached **$12.1 billion.
- Web3 Investment Recovery: Publicly disclosed funding rose to $9.83 billion, a 6% increase from 2023.
Bitcoin’s Fourth Halving
The 2024 halving reduced block rewards to 3.125 BTC, intensifying miner competition. Sidechains like Merlin and Bitlayer gained traction, with Babylon leading in Bitcoin restaking.
Popular Ecosystems
Ethereum’s Challenges
Ethereum faced competition from newer blockchains, with Layer 2 tokens underperforming (many dropping >50%).
Solana’s Breakout Year
Solana thrived in high-demand sectors like AI and DePIN, fueled by platforms such as Raydium and Jupiter. The Meme coin frenzy further boosted its ecosystem.
👉 Explore Solana’s growth drivers
Trending Sectors
DeFi Resurgence
- TVL hit $211.7 billion**, with liquid staking dominating at **$61 billion.
- Token launch platforms (e.g., Pump.fun) generated $337 million in fees.
Memecoin Diversification
Memecoins grew 336.66% in market cap, encompassing themes like politics and AI.
RWA and AI Agents
- RWA assets reached $15.1 billion**, led by personal credit (**$9.6 billion).
- AI Agents emerged as a transformative force across computing, data, and applications.
2025 Trend Forecast
Prophet AI model predicts:
- Crypto market cap exceeding $7 trillion.
- Bitcoin potentially reaching $180,000.
- Stablecoin market surpassing $400 billion.
👉 Stay ahead with Gate Research
FAQs
Q1: What drove Bitcoin’s price surge in 2024?
A1: Spot ETF approvals, institutional demand, and post-U.S. election momentum.
Q2: How did Solana outperform Ethereum?
A2: High-performance niches (AI, DePIN) and Memecoin trading volume.
Q3: What’s the outlook for RWAs?
A3: Expect continued growth as traditional assets tokenize.
Gate Research
Providing cutting-edge blockchain insights since 2024.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.