Binance CEO Richard Teng on Monday expressed strong optimism for the future of the cryptocurrency industry, predicting that 2025 will surpass the growth and adoption seen in 2024.

Teng’s comments come amid growing institutional interest and regulatory clarity, which he believes are setting the stage for a transformative year for digital assets.

What Happened: “2024 has been a good year, but I firmly believe 2025 will be even better,” Teng told Benzinga in an interview.

Highlighting Bitcoin‘s BTC/USD performance and the factors driving market growth, he pointed to the approval of Bitcoin ETFs as a significant catalyst.

“Earlier this year, we saw Bitcoin ETFs approved in the U.S. and globally, from Brazil to Hong Kong and Australia. The net inflow into Bitcoin ETFs has already surpassed that of gold ETFs within a year, demonstrating the immense pent-up demand,” Teng added.

Teng emphasized Bitcoin’s continued ascent as more institutions and governments embrace the asset.

“This year, we’ve seen a significant uptick in institutional interest, with sovereign wealth funds and pension funds beginning to allocate Bitcoin reserves. This is a major positive for the industry as we move into 2025,” he said.

He also noted that macroeconomic factors like controlled inflation and reduced interest rates globally will further bolster Bitcoin’s growth.

Addressing the role of meme coins in the burgeoning crypto industry , Teng acknowledged their appeal to new retail investors entering the market.

“Meme coins account for about 12% of trading volume, which is quite significant,” Teng noted.

He described them as a gateway for beginners, saying, “Meme coins are fun, exciting, and relatable to young adults. They’re often the first step into crypto for many novice investors.”

Responding to allegations of Binance allegedly listing pump-and-dump meme coin schemes, he said the crypto exchange followed stringent listing criteria, ensuring only projects with strong fundamentals make it onto their platform.

“If you look at some of these projects, they’re not just about where they are today but where they aim to go in the future,” he said.

Teng attributed the industry’s growth to increasing institutional involvement and regulatory clarity.

“Close to one-third of global regulators now have frameworks for crypto. This clarity is critical for mass adoption,” he explained.

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He added that 2024 witnessed a doubling of institutional onboarding at Binance compared to the previous year, with the trend expected to continue into 2025.

“Institutions spend months conducting due diligence before entering this space. Now that the U.S. and global environments are more favorable, we expect even more institutions to onboard in 2025,” Teng said.

Teng stressed the importance of working with governments to develop smart regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with risk management.

“We are the most licensed and regulated crypto exchange globally, with 20 licenses across the world, including in India and Argentina,” Teng stated.

He believes that a collaborative approach with regulators can unlock the full potential of blockchain and digital assets, making them foundational technologies for global economic growth.

“Crypto has changed the lives of so many people, especially where banking systems are expensive or inaccessible,” he said.

He added that blockchain’s transparency and efficiency are reshaping industries from supply chain management to real estate.

He also emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity for the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.

Teng highlighted the challenges posed by the SEC’s enforcement-led approach in recent years, which created uncertainty and hindered innovation.

“Regulatory frameworks must strike a balance between managing risks and supporting innovation,” he said, adding that pro-crypto regulators who understand the transformative potential of blockchain technology can foster an environment conducive to mass adoption.

What’s Next: Teng’s insights come as the crypto industry prepares for significant events, including Benzinga’s Future of Digital Assets conference on Nov. 19.

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