Main Takeaways
In this piece, Binance CEO Richard Teng discusses the evolving perceptions of cryptocurrency and argues that no matter what these perceptions are, we are still in the early stages unlocking digital assets’ massive potential.
While the BTC price above $100,000 has quickly become the new normal, the future holds even greater possibilities that many can still find hard to imagine.
Forces like continued innovation and building, mainstream adoption in finance and beyond, and the transformation of industries by blockchain and crypto are only picking up speed. Now is the perfect time to join the movement.
The flexibility and amenability of what people consider as possible, likely, or normal never ceases to amaze me. These boundaries seem almost set in stone in mass consciousness – until they are tested, pushed, and a new consensus around what’s possible emerges. Consider only one example: it is 2025, and Bitcoin (BTC) at $100,000 is old news. What seemed unimaginable by many just a couple of years ago has become normalized and even trivial. This is the pattern we’ve seen throughout crypto’s short history: impossible yesterday, expected or even underwhelming today.
One feature of the current growing consensus around crypto is that the conquering of the $100K milestone, along with the industry’s sweeping breakthroughs of 2024 that made it possible, has been so powerful and exhilarating that for some, it feels as though there’s nothing left to achieve.
The Boundaries of Possible
“Yes, $100K BTC is the new normal, but what’s next? $300K? $500K? One million? Impossible!” That’s a sentiment I’ve encountered often in conversations with users and especially with those who haven’t yet entered the crypto space. In 2024, the industry covered an extraordinary distance in a short time. Achieving something similar in the near future feels unimaginable. After all, what asset class can routinely pull off such feats? “One million for one BTC? Come on, that’s simply not happening.”
When I hear something like this, I check myself by opening a 5-year BTC price chart, hovering the mouse over a random price peak in the past, and recalling a dinner party, discussion panel, or casual conversation where someone argued that Bitcoin was never going higher than that or maintained that anything significantly beyond that price level was impossible. In each of these cases, it was not a failure of rational thinking or belief – many of these doubters were brilliant thinkers and staunch believers in the power of blockchain technology – but a failure of imagination.
One of the most detrimental outcomes here is the perception that it’s too late to get into crypto. For those who aren’t involved yet, this creates a sense that the peak has already passed. Why bother, if the best opportunities are behind us? This mindset discourages exploration and leads to missed opportunities.
This isn’t just about BTC prices; I use Bitcoin as a useful proxy for the progress of digital assets and blockchain technology adoption. The missed opportunities extend far beyond market gains. They encompass innovations and transformations that are reshaping industries and improving lives globally.
We are still in the early stages. If you’re not part of this movement yet, now is the time to join. While it may be difficult to imagine the next wave of explosive growth, imagination is not always the best predictor of what’s possible. A closer look at what’s happening on the ground reveals that the industry’s 2024 momentum is only accelerating in 2025 – in mainstream and institutional adoption, market innovation, and real-world value creation.
On the Ground
The belief that crypto’s peak is behind us ignores the transformative forces still in motion. I won’t go on about the promise of massive regulatory developments in the United States and beyond. It is clear that a potential crypto-friendly leadership in the world’s largest economy could have seismic effects. Even ideas that still seem far-fetched today, like a national strategic Bitcoin reserve, could become reality, pushing demand and prices to unprecedented levels. Look no further than the resounding debut of $TRUMP and $MELANIA memecoins ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, a testament to crypto’s ability to drive social, cultural, and even political trends in ways we never thought possible.
Wall Street’s growing embrace of crypto now extends far beyond the spot ETFs that dominated headlines in 2024. BTC-denominated life insurance products, hybrid crypto and real estate funds, and major asset managers like BlackRock integrating Bitcoin ETFs into their income-focused funds are embedding digital assets deeper into the global financial system. The creation of composite products and new models based on traditional instruments is accelerating, with Bitcoin – and soon, other digital assets – becoming a cornerstone of modern financial infrastructure in many direct and indirect ways.
Then there’s the untapped potential of crypto adoption. Currently, some 700 million people globally engage with crypto – a fraction of the world’s population. Yet the number of those whose lives could be improved by digital assets is in billions. Growing awareness, better user interfaces, and the abstraction of technical complexity are paving the way for more adoption. The shift from early adopters to the early majority is underway, and the curve ahead looks steep.
Why It’s Still Early for New Users
The idea that it’s too late to get into crypto couldn’t be further from the truth. Early adopters have certainly benefited from their foresight, but the opportunities ahead are just as significant. With only a small percentage of the global population involved, there’s ample room for growth and inclusion.
Binance is committed to making this transition easier for new users. Tools like Binance Academy provide free, accessible resources to demystify crypto and blockchain technology. User-friendly interfaces and financial products designed to be straightforward break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can participate. For example, Binance offers both Spot and Futures copy trading functionalities, which allows newcomers to replicate the moves of seasoned traders and learn along the way. Mock trading tools allow users to dip their toes into the crypto market without risking any real funds.
Crypto’s inclusivity goes beyond financial access. It’s about empowering individuals and communities to take control of their assets, data, and online personas, inviting everyone to participate in the decentralized Web of the future. By reducing reliance on traditional financial systems and internet platforms, digital assets are creating new pathways for opportunity and empowerment.
Binance’s Vision for 2025 and Beyond
Binance is here to lead, guide, and empower users. In 2025, our focus will remain on driving global adoption and creating tools that make crypto accessible to everyone. From developing scalable solutions for financial inclusion to fostering a vibrant Web3 ecosystem, Binance is committed to shaping a future where digital assets unlock value for all.
We also recognize the importance of collaboration. Whether it’s working with policymakers to establish empowering regulation or supporting grassroots initiatives that demonstrate the real-world impact of crypto, we’re aiming to ensure that the industry’s growth benefits as many people as possible.
Crypto’s story is only starting to be written. The immense potential of digital assets to transform lives and reshape industries is only beginning to unfold. If you’ve been on the sidelines, now is the time to explore what this technology can offer.
Further Reading
From Our CEO: One Year of Leading Binance in a New Era of Crypto
From Our CEO: Be The Tide That Lifts All Boats
From Our CEO: Incumbents and Insurgents in the Era of Blockchain Innovation
