Crypto Market Set for 2025 Acquisition Surge, Driven by FOMO and Regulatory Clarity

Industry experts have predicted that the crypto market will experience a surge in acquisitions in 2025, signaling a new phase of market consolidation and growth. This trend is marked by a wave of high-profile acquisitions, with several notable deals already in progress. For instance, Bridge was acquired for $1.1 billion last month. Additionally, Robinhood is on track to finalize its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, a globally-scaled crypto exchange. Furthermore, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has plans to acquire NinjaTrader, a futures trading platform, for $1.5 billion. Coinbase is also in advanced talks to acquire Deribit, an options and futures exchange.

These acquisitions are part of a broader trend of consolidation in the crypto industry. Bridget Harris, an associate at Founders Fund, projected that this trend would persist, driven by factors such as fear of missing out (FOMO) and regulatory clarity in the United States. Harris's post on X (formerly Twitter) sparked a flurry of reactions, with industry voices weighing in on the implications. Adam Lawrence, co-founder of RWA.xyz, suggested that the crypto industry is about to enter a new phase of competition, referring to it as “The Great Distribution Wars.” As regulatory clarity improves, Lawrence predicts that the biggest traditional finance (TradFi) firms will soon make their move into the crypto space, signaling a new wave of competition. In anticipation of this shift, companies within the sector are actively preparing for explosive growth and the challenges posed by these new, formidable entrants.

Jeremy Ng, CEO of OpenEden, added to the conversation by identifying projects that could receive increased attention amid this shift. According to Ng, projects with strong base layer infrastructure, proven products, sticky customer bases, and relevant licenses will be attractive targets. This outlook comes as the industry observes a shift in the government’s stance towards the crypto space, with the administration taking steps to support the crypto industry’s growth and provide regulatory clarity.

According to the analyst's forecast, the trend of acquisitions in the crypto market is expected to intensify in 2025, driven by factors such as FOMO and regulatory clarity. This trend is already evident in the recent high-profile acquisitions, with several notable deals in progress. As the industry prepares for a new phase of competition, companies are actively positioning themselves for growth and the challenges posed by new entrants. The shift in the government’s stance towards the crypto space is also expected to support this trend, with the administration taking steps to provide regulatory clarity and support the industry’s growth.