Bitcoin is rebounding strongly, with prices soaring above $96,000 after weeks of consolidation. But according to Binance founder Zhao Changpeng (CZ), this is just the beginning.

In a recent interview with Rug Radio's Farokh Sarmad, Zhao Changpeng made a bold prediction: by the end of 2025, the total market capitalization of cryptocurrency could soar to $5 trillion, with Bitcoin's value potentially reaching $500,000 to $1 million. His confidence stems from the increasing favor of institutional investors towards cryptocurrency, especially with the emergence of spot Bitcoin ETFs.

As of now, Bitcoin's dominance is at 65%, indicating a cautiously optimistic attitude among investors. However, Zhao Changpeng believes the real opportunities lie not only in BTC but also in the emerging altcoin sectors that are poised for exponential growth.

Here are Zhao Changpeng's four most favored crypto trends:

1. The ETF craze has just begun

CZ emphasized that the current rise in Bitcoin is largely driven by institutional investors flowing into Bitcoin ETFs. He believes this is just the first phase of institutional investor participation, with more funds yet to enter the market. As demand increases and supply tightens, Bitcoin's price could experience parabolic growth.

2. Artificial intelligence and blockchain are merging

With the increasingly firm stance of the U.S. government, especially after Trump's administration, on artificial intelligence, Zhao Changpeng believes the integration of AI and blockchain is a done deal. He believes AI will increasingly rely on blockchain for security, transparency, and decentralization. Although he did not name specific tokens, popular AI projects like Fetch.ai (FET) and SingularityNET (AGIX) are seen as leaders in this emerging field.

3. DeSci——Decentralized Science is the Future

Another low-profile area that Zhao Changpeng is optimistic about is DeSci (Decentralized Science). The future he envisions is one where smart contracts fund research and pharmaceutical innovation through milestone-based crypto payments, empowering small laboratories around the world. Although DeSci is still in its early stages of development, it offers practical real-world utility and long-term impact beyond transactions.

4. Real World Assets (RWA) Enter the Blockchain Era

Tokenizing real-world assets like stocks, real estate, and bonds is becoming a major theme in the cryptocurrency space. With giants like BlackRock entering the field, Zhao Changpeng sees tremendous potential in platforms that facilitate this shift. Projects like Ondo Finance and Polymesh are leading this trend, connecting traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems.

From Bitcoin ETFs to biotech and tokenized real estate, Zhao Changpeng's vision for the next round of cryptocurrency bull market is rooted in real-world adoption and institutional funds. As Bitcoin continues to hit new highs, savvy investors may soon turn to the next wave of innovation in altcoins. Zhao Changpeng's message is loud and clear: the cryptocurrency revolution has not slowed down—it has just begun.