Following a difficult 2022 for the crypto industry, characterized by market crashes and the collapse of prominent blockchain companies, 2023 has been a year of consolidation and reflection for Web3 projects. Looking ahead to 2024, we can expect to see the fruits of the industry’s hard work and perseverance from the bear market. With the crypto industry moving towards diversification, several areas are expected to see significant growth and development.
One such area is the increasing popularity and adoption of stablecoins for payments, remittances, and investments in DeFi applications. In 2022, stablecoins settled around $11 trillion on-chain, catching up to traditional volumes of payment giants like PayPal and Visa. The entrance of PayPal and experimentation by Visa and Mastercard with stablecoins indicate the growing acceptance and integration of stablecoins into the mainstream financial landscape. For 2024, we anticipate the stablecoin numbers to rival the total volumes of Visa and Mastercard.
In the realm of Web3 gaming, the industry is poised to witness a breakout game that will attract a nine-digit user base globally. With the gamification of NFTs and play-to-earn dynamics, we expect the next wave of games to push the boundaries and offer immersive experiences for gamers, resulting in a significant increase in user engagement.
The cryptocurrency market is also expected to see the market capitalization of Bitcoin grow by 50 percent in 2024, driven by the potential approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs and the anticipation of the next Bitcoin halving event in April 2024.
Additionally, NFTs are set to demonstrate their utility beyond being just collectibles, with potential applications in loyalty programs and customer engagement strategies. The integration of NFTs into loyalty programs in Asia and Japan indicates a growing trend of applying NFT technology to diverse fields beyond art.
Finally, the DeFi industry is expected to experience a decline in exploits, driven by advancements in technology, particularly AI, to enhance the security and transparency of smart contracts.
Overall, 2024 is expected to be a prominent year for the crypto and NFT industry, showcasing the potential for further growth and innovation in various sectors.
John Wu, President of Ava Labs, is a prominent figure in the crypto industry, leveraging his expertise to promote blockchain-enabled financial solutions and products for broader accessibility. With his background as a fintech executive and technology investor, John is focused on creating a blockchain platform that opens up financial services to all.