DeFi Declines, AI Soars: Q1 2025 by the Numbers
The year 2025 begins on a contrasting note for the crypto industry. While DeFi protocols are suffering from a marked drop in their total value locked (TVL), decentralized applications, particularly those focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and social networks, are showing solid growth. What are the drivers of these opposing dynamics, and what prospects lie ahead for the ecosystem in the months to come?
The DeFi sector experienced a significant drop in the first quarter of 2025, with a 27% decrease in TVL, which fell to $156 billion from $251 billion in 2024. Among the factors contributing to this decline are widespread economic uncertainty and incidents such as the hacking of Bybit .
Moreover, major blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, and Tron have recorded notable declines in their TVL, while initiatives like Berachain have seen slight success. The drop in the price of ETH, which fell by 45% during this period, has also generally impacted the DeFi sector, exacerbating the difficulties faced by these protocols.
Additionally, the dApps industry has also shown signs of slowing down, with a 3% decrease in unique daily active wallets (dUAW), bringing the total to 24 million. This trend could be explained by increasing competition and the emergence of new economic models. However, certain categories, particularly AI-centric dApps, seem to be less affected by these fluctuations and continue to grow, thus reinforcing the resilience of this space.
Speaking of artificial intelligence, AI and social applications are experiencing robust growth. Daily active users of these applications have increased by 29%, while social networks have grown by 10%.
Artificial intelligence, far from being a mere concept, is becoming a major driver of user behavior, transforming their interaction with blockchain. As for social applications, they continue to attract significant engagement despite a volatile market environment.
Could the DeFi sector see a rebound? Although the current drop is concerning, measures to stabilize TVL and stimulate engagement are possible. Meanwhile, dApps, especially those related to AI and social networks, are likely to continue growing, and their market share could further increase in the months ahead.
The first quarter of 2025 has thus revealed a changing crypto sector. While DeFi is going through a difficult time and the NFT market has collapsed by 63% , AI and social applications, on the other hand, are on the rise. The future of the crypto industry will depend on the ability of players to adapt to an increasingly competitive and volatile market while fostering innovation.
Trump Family Crypto Pivot – Eric Trump Embraces Crypto & Trump's Empire Expands
In a dramatic twist from the Trump family, Eric Trump has announced his shift to the cryptocurrency space. Citing his family's struggles and calling their business “the most canceled company, probably on Earth,” Eric has embraced crypto as a faster, more transparent, and pragmatic alternative. His latest venture, American Bitcoin, is a bitcoin mining project in partnership with Hut 8, signaling a new direction for the family’s business endeavors.
This strategic pivot reflects a broader trend where traditional business challenges push leaders to seek innovative solutions in the fast-evolving world of digital assets. Eric Trump’s move is already stirring conversation among investors, who view it as a potential signal of more widespread adoption of crypto strategies within legacy business circles.
In a parallel development, President Donald Trump’s crypto empire is set to expand further . World Liberty Financial, a venture that Trump helped launch last year, recently announced plans to introduce a dollar-backed stablecoin, USD1, as well as new investment funds for digital assets. These initiatives are designed to facilitate seamless, secure cross-border transactions and capitalize on the growing mainstream appeal of cryptocurrencies.
This expansion marks a significant step for the Trump family in the digital asset arena. With a stablecoin and investment fund offerings on the horizon, the family aims to diversify its portfolio and tap into the burgeoning demand for crypto-based financial products. These moves come at a time when regulatory debates and market dynamics are rapidly evolving, potentially setting the stage for a new era in institutional crypto adoption.
Both Eric Trump’s crypto pivot and the expansion of Trump’s crypto empire are reshaping perceptions of digital assets among traditional business and political circles. These bold moves highlight a growing recognition that cryptocurrencies are more than just speculative investments—they’re becoming integral to modern financial strategies.
As the crypto market continues to evolve, these developments from the Trump family could drive increased institutional interest, greater innovation, and potentially more regulatory clarity in the future. Investors should keep a close eye on these shifts, as they may signal a broader transformation within the digital asset landscape.
In a dramatic twist from the Trump family, Eric Trump has announced his shift to the cryptocurrency space. Citing his family's struggles and calling their business “the most canceled company, probably on Earth,” Eric has embraced crypto as a faster, more transparent, and pragmatic alternative. His latest venture, American Bitcoin, is a bitcoin mining project in partnership with Hut 8, signaling a new direction for the family’s business endeavors.
This strategic pivot reflects a broader trend where traditional business challenges push leaders to seek innovative solutions in the fast-evolving world of digital assets. Eric Trump’s move is already stirring conversation among investors, who view it as a potential signal of more widespread adoption of crypto strategies within legacy business circles.
In a parallel development, President Donald Trump’s crypto empire is set to expand further . World Liberty Financial, a venture that Trump helped launch last year, recently announced plans to introduce a dollar-backed stablecoin, USD1, as well as new investment funds for digital assets. These initiatives are designed to facilitate seamless, secure cross-border transactions and capitalize on the growing mainstream appeal of cryptocurrencies.
This expansion marks a significant step for the Trump family in the digital asset arena. With a stablecoin and investment fund offerings on the horizon, the family aims to diversify its portfolio and tap into the burgeoning demand for crypto-based financial products. These moves come at a time when regulatory debates and market dynamics are rapidly evolving, potentially setting the stage for a new era in institutional crypto adoption.
Both Eric Trump’s crypto pivot and the expansion of Trump’s crypto empire are reshaping perceptions of digital assets among traditional business and political circles. These bold moves highlight a growing recognition that cryptocurrencies are more than just speculative investments—they’re becoming integral to modern financial strategies.
As the crypto market continues to evolve, these developments from the Trump family could drive increased institutional interest, greater innovation, and potentially more regulatory clarity in the future. Investors should keep a close eye on these shifts, as they may signal a broader transformation within the digital asset landscape.
Bitcoin Price Analysis: Q1 2025 Performance and BTC Price Prediction
The first quarter of 2025 was a rollercoaster ride for Bitcoin , reflecting the broader market trends in the crypto space. After starting the year strong at $93,400, Bitcoin ended Q1 at $82,510, marking an 11.7% decline over three months. While this downward trend raised concerns among investors, it’s crucial to analyze the bigger picture before making any price predictions.
BTC/USD 1-day chart - TradingView
--> Click here to Trade Bitcoin, with Bitget <--
The total cryptocurrency market cap followed a similar pattern, dropping from $3.18 trillion at the start of the year to $2.63 trillion by the end of March. This 17.3% decline indicates a broader market correction rather than an isolated Bitcoin issue. However, Bitcoin dominance remains strong at 61.9%, showcasing its resilience despite the market downturn.
Bitcoin's all-time high (ATH) of $109,220 remains a critical benchmark, and while the current price of $84,700 shows signs of recovery, breaking past previous highs will require renewed market momentum and investor confidence.
Total Crypto Market Cap in USD, 1-day chart - TradingView
Several key factors contributed to Bitcoin's Q1 performance:
With Bitcoin stabilizing above $84,000 and the crypto market cap rebounding to $2.72 trillion, we may see a gradual recovery in Q2. If macroeconomic conditions improve and institutional inflows continue, Bitcoin could target the following levels :
--> Click here to Trade Bitcoin, with Bitget <--
Bitcoin’s Q1 performance was a reality check for overextended bulls, but it remains the dominant force in the crypto market. With a strong 61.9% dominance, any broader market recovery will likely start with Bitcoin leading the way. While short-term price fluctuations are expected, long-term investors still see Bitcoin as a key asset in the digital economy.
As we enter Q2, all eyes are on Bitcoin’s ability to reclaim lost ground and set the stage for another push towards new highs. Will Bitcoin break $100,000 again in 2025? The next few months will be crucial in shaping that answer.
The first quarter of 2025 was a rollercoaster ride for Bitcoin , reflecting the broader market trends in the crypto space. After starting the year strong at $93,400, Bitcoin ended Q1 at $82,510, marking an 11.7% decline over three months. While this downward trend raised concerns among investors, it’s crucial to analyze the bigger picture before making any price predictions.
BTC/USD 1-day chart - TradingView
--> Click here to Trade Bitcoin, with Bitget <--
The total cryptocurrency market cap followed a similar pattern, dropping from $3.18 trillion at the start of the year to $2.63 trillion by the end of March. This 17.3% decline indicates a broader market correction rather than an isolated Bitcoin issue. However, Bitcoin dominance remains strong at 61.9%, showcasing its resilience despite the market downturn.
Bitcoin's all-time high (ATH) of $109,220 remains a critical benchmark, and while the current price of $84,700 shows signs of recovery, breaking past previous highs will require renewed market momentum and investor confidence.
Total Crypto Market Cap in USD, 1-day chart - TradingView
Several key factors contributed to Bitcoin's Q1 performance:
With Bitcoin stabilizing above $84,000 and the crypto market cap rebounding to $2.72 trillion, we may see a gradual recovery in Q2. If macroeconomic conditions improve and institutional inflows continue, Bitcoin could target the following levels :
--> Click here to Trade Bitcoin, with Bitget <--
Bitcoin’s Q1 performance was a reality check for overextended bulls, but it remains the dominant force in the crypto market. With a strong 61.9% dominance, any broader market recovery will likely start with Bitcoin leading the way. While short-term price fluctuations are expected, long-term investors still see Bitcoin as a key asset in the digital economy.
As we enter Q2, all eyes are on Bitcoin’s ability to reclaim lost ground and set the stage for another push towards new highs. Will Bitcoin break $100,000 again in 2025? The next few months will be crucial in shaping that answer.

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BlackRock taps BNY to publish fund data on Ethereum
BNY has announced the expansion of its digital assets platform with the launch of a new tool aimed at delivering both on- and off-chain accounting data to blockchain networks.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to reflect that the company is referred to as “BNY,” not “BNY Mellon.”
BNY, the world’s largest custodian, said in a press release that it was launching the Digital Asset Data Insights product, a data tool aimed at bringing security and efficiency to the offering and access to fund accounting data across blockchains.
The new tool, which will see global asset manager BlackRock become the first client, will allow BNY to broadcast a fund’s net asset value on the Ethereum ( ETH ) network.
Accordingly, the financial services giant’s new on-chain offering helps bolster its footprint in the blockchain technology space. Per the announcement, part of the focus is on the rapidly expanding tokenized assets market.
Digital Asset Data Insights will enable BNY to leverage smart contracts to automate data delivery for investors in tokenized funds.
“Accessing transparent data is critical to our clients’ success in today’s market,” said Caroline Butler, global head of digital assets at BNY. “Our platform’s support of Digital Asset Data Insights underscores our commitment to servicing the end-to-end asset lifecycle via distributed ledger technology, while maintaining data integrity from a trusted source.”
The BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund will be the first to benefit from the new solution.
BUIDL, which launched in 2024 and is a tokenized short-term U.S. Treasury fund, will have its data broadcast onchain by BNY.
Commenting on the latest development, BlackRock’s head of digital assets Robert Mitchnick said:
“BNY’s enablement of off-chain data insights to public blockchains is an unprecedented event and a significant milestone for the industry. By enhancing data transparency and accessibility for our investors, BNY has set a new standard for digital asset innovation.”
New York City-headquartered BNY is the fund administrator and custodian of BUIDL’s assets.
BNY, which oversees more than $52 trillion in assets under custody and administration as well as over $2 trillion in assets under management, eyes distributed ledger technology for transparency and accessibility. The custodian behemoth has invested in spot Bitcoin ( BTC ) exchange-traded funds and targeted crypto ETF custody amid regulatory review.