Cryptocurrency prices experienced significant fluctuations throughout 2025. However, behind the market volatility, essential "structural pillars" such as user access, settlement systems, and regulatory frameworks saw notable improvements, according to a report by Binance Research.
The crypto market saw considerable price swings during 2025. Bitcoin (BTC), for instance, ranged from a low of $76,000 in April to a new all-time high exceeding $126,000 in October.
Despite these price movements, Binance Research highlighted in a report that regulatory advancements, including legislation like the GENIUS Act in the United States and Europe's MiCA framework, contributed to establishing stablecoins as "essential global settlement infrastructure."
The optimistic outlook suggests that stablecoins are increasingly becoming a default medium of exchange within crypto markets. They are also evolving into a more practical system for cross-border settlements, payments, and fintech applications.
Binance noted that stablecoins often enable users and businesses to access crypto networks while shielding them from the volatility that can deter newcomers.
Increased Corporate and Banking Involvement in Crypto
In parallel, regulated investment vehicles like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) expanded in both variety and structure. This reinforced ETFs as the preferred route for institutional access to the crypto market and opened up additional avenues for user engagement, according to Binance.
A growing number of corporations focused on accumulating cryptocurrency for their balance sheets during 2025. Over 190 publicly traded companies adopted digital asset strategies, which in turn increased overall adoption and investor exposure to crypto through equity.
Binance also reported that banks moved closer to mainstream crypto-backed lending. Five major U.S. banks – Bank of America, JPMorgan, BNY Mellon, Wells Fargo, and Citibank – were either launching or piloting credit products backed by Bitcoin.
These offerings allow clients to borrow cash while maintaining their Bitcoin holdings long-term, thereby avoiding taxable sales. The integration of institutional-grade custody and compliance frameworks represents a significant advancement for mainstream crypto finance.
Network Security Strengthened and On-Chain Activity Grew
Evidence of steady growth was also apparent in network metrics. The number of active on-chain addresses reached a peak of over 300 million in June. By the end of the year, this number settled to a base of approximately 230 million, indicating sustained and consistent user engagement globally.
Furthermore, continuous investment from miners helped bolster the security of the Bitcoin network. The hash rate experienced growth, and mining difficulty increased by 36% year-on-year.