As the cryptocurrency market gears up for 2025, leading finance super app GCash recently unveiled key insights into Bitcoin's cyclical journey, the rise of innovative trends like AI-driven trading and meme coins, and the best practices for navigating this dynamic landscape.
(L-R) Chainalysis regional sales director Diederik van Wersch, Blockchain analyst and developer Tracy Li, Chainalysis head of policy in Asia Pacific region Chengyi Ong and Securities and Exchange Commission assistant director Patrick PatricioIn a recent BitBulaga educational program, crypto experts sat down for a fireside chat to share their 2025 forecasts and best practices for those who plan to invest in the crypto industry. The panel included GCash head of GCrypto Luis Buenaventura, along with crypto key opinion leaders Gilbert “Titovlogs” Lazaro, Gerome “Kuyang Gerome” Lazaro, and Aldrin “Crypto4chun” Rabino.
The panelists agreed that Bitcoin is experiencing rising adoption from traditional institutions, including banks, governments, and world organizations. While new crypto players may lead 2025, the pioneering currencies (referred to as OG by crypto experts) will continue to follow the Bitcoin cycle.
The Bitcoin Cycle and Where We Are Today
Unlike traditional financial instruments, Bitcoin and the rest of the cryptocurrency industry move in four-year cycles. These cycles are typically bookended by the so-called Bitcoin Halving, a once-in-four-year event that reduces the issuance of Bitcoin and increases its scarcity. The Halving was envisioned as a market catalyst– which would trigger more trading activity and attention as the available supply of the asset was diminished.
The most recent Bitcoin Halving occurred in April 2024, and Bitcoin’s price, along with the prices of many other cryptocurrencies has been on a steady rise since. As the industry enters into its second-year post-halving, the expectation is that there will be a substantial increase in prices across the board.
However, the landscape has evolved significantly over the last year, as new players vie for attention. Experts highlight meme coins and AI agents as the next major trends.
Gilbert Lazaro, aka Titovlogs, said that the biggest players of 2025 will be the alternative currencies. In particular, the panel further dived deep into innovative platforms such as Trump Politifi Tokens, DeFAI, the Hyperliquid Ecosystem, and DeSci (Decentralized Science). Trump Politifi Tokens are politically inspired but give investors a sense of community. DeFAI is a convergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and artificial intelligence, The Hyperliquid Ecosystem addresses inefficiencies in the crypto market by enhancing liquidity across exchanges and scaling blockchain performance. Decentralized Science (DeSci) is reshaping research through blockchain technology, democratizing funding, enabling open-access data, and incentivizing collaboration via tokenized rewards.
"These emerging cryptocurrencies began as real-world assets. These Alt(ernative) coins will be the biggest players of 2025," said Lazaro.
Best practices for navigating cryptocurrency
Buenaventura and Rabino advised diversifying buying behavior not just in terms of portfolio diversification but also the timing of purchases over the next few years. While the cycle is set, the exact timing of the rise and fall in prices remains uncertain. To mitigate risks, investors are encouraged to make purchases at different intervals throughout the Parabolic Stage in addition to diversifying their portfolios.
"If you want to be conservative, what I do is I buy many times throughout the cycle with small incremental profits but less risk," said Buenaventura.
GCash gathers top stakeholders for ethical crypto industry
Aside from learning the know-how of cryptocurrency, GCash together with Chainalysis and BitPinas also hosted an event entitled “CryptoPH Compliance Conversations”, where top stakeholders exchanged insights on the importance of crypto compliance amidst the evolving industry landscape and regulatory shifts driven by the new US administration.
It gathered key people in the industry like Atty. Paolo Ong of the PhiliFintech Innovation Office (PIO) of the Securities and Exchange Commission along with Atty. Patrick-Duane Patricio of the Cybercrime and Forensics Division of the SEC. Joining the conversations were representatives from US-based blockchain research firm Chainalysis, as well as key personalities from universal banks, digital banks, virtual asset service providers, and other fintech players.
GCash head of wealth management Arjun Varma said, "An ethical crypto industry harmonizes innovation with responsibility. It ensures transparency, embraces sustainable practices, and prioritizes the well-being of communities. By addressing environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and social equity, we can build a blockchain future that is not only prosperous but also principled and inclusive."
