Crypto in 2025: Bitcoin’s Growth, Trump’s Impact, and the Rise of Meme Coins

2024: A Landmark Year for Cryptocurrency

The long-awaited approvals for Bitcoin SPOT ETFs arrived in January, followed by SPOT ETF Options in October, ushering in a new era of mainstream acceptance. Jerome Powell, Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, publicly hailed Bitcoin as “digital gold,” boosting the digital asset’s credibility among both traditional and retail investors. Toward the end of the year, the U.S. election set off another major wave of enthusiasm: Donald Trump’s victory sparked a post-election rally that propelled the aggregated crypto market cap from around $3.3 trillion AUD to $5.4 trillion AUD. Bitcoin surged in tandem, climbing from roughly $104k AUD to $167k AUD, while 24-hour crypto trading volume leapt from $91 billion to $240 billion, setting the stage for what’s to come with crypto in 2025.

Trump’s Election Victory and Its Impact on Bitcoin

A key driver behind this surge was the expanding accessibility of crypto through regulated investment vehicles. According to the 2024 Gemini Global State of Crypto Report, nearly two in five (37%) American cryptocurrency holders surveyed said they own some crypto via an ETF. More than one in ten (13%) hold digital assets exclusively through ETFs, indicating that many new investors entered the market precisely when these instruments became available. This bolstered the perception of crypto as a legitimate asset class, further reinforced by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to approve both SPOT ETFs and SPOT ETF Options in 2024.

The Surge in Meme Coins and Speculation

Beyond the U.S., global adoption of crypto has soared. Statista data shows the number of verified crypto users worldwide rising from 650 million in 2023 to 750 million in 2024, with forecasts suggesting that figure could surpass 900 million in 2025. These numbers underscore crypto’s shift from a niche interest to a widespread financial phenomenon—one increasingly intertwined with mainstream markets and social media trends.

Still, alongside this wave of optimism lies a more concerning trend: the surge in questionable tokens and outright scams. While mainstream coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to garner support from major investors, platforms like pump.fun have become a hotbed for obscure and often bizarre cryptocurrencies. Meme coins with names like $DOGCAGE and $FARTCOIN are rapidly gaining value for reasons that have little to do with sound financial or technological fundamentals. This proliferation of meme coins has been staggering, pushing the collective market cap in that sector from $22.27 billion USD at the start of 2024 to $96.67 billion USD at the start of 2025. Notably, Trump himself has launched $TRUMP coin, with a parallel “Melania coin” also appearing, both of which have quickly found their way into the meme coin category. Many new investors, lured by the promise of quick profits, jump in without fully understanding the risks, and some have fallen victim to “rug pulls,” where project creators vanish with investors’ funds.

Trump’s Stance on Cryptocurrency Regulation

Looking forward for 2025, many crypto enthusiasts anticipate a further boost from President Trump’s second term, citing his lax approach to digital asset regulation as well as his own entry into the crypto arena as a boon for the asset class. Proponents point to Trump’s pro-business stance and appetite for deregulation, arguing that this political environment—coupled with increasing institutional adoption—could push Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to new highs. However, not everyone shares this optimism. Some argue that once the initial “honeymoon phase” of Trump’s presidency wears off, the market may cool significantly, particularly if the administration faces mounting political challenges or if institutional investors become less swayed by policy rhetoric. In this scenario, the hype that once drove exponential gains could gradually subside, leading to a period of sliding rather than continuous growth.

Navigating the Risks and Opportunities of 2025

For those considering an entry into crypto at this juncture, a level-headed approach is essential. Conducting thorough research, diversifying across stable and well-established assets, and being prepared for high volatility are crucial steps to mitigate potential losses. A mania can be profitable for a lucky few, but it often ends in steep declines that catch many off guard. Looking to 2025, there’s a chance that a major retailer’s acceptance of Bitcoin or a technological breakthrough could send prices soaring even higher. On the other hand, a renewed wave of regulatory crackdowns or a severe security breach on a prominent exchange could trigger a dramatic slump. Whichever direction the market takes, it’s clear that crypto will likely make big movements in 2025.

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