Which Cryptocurrencies Will Lead the 2025 Bull Run?

As 2025 approaches, cryptocurrencies are stealing the spotlight as the top-performing investment of the year. Momentum is building, fueled by crypto-friendly US regulations, institutional adoption, expected interest rate cuts, and stricter global standards enhancing industry resilience.

With this favourable environment, savvy investors have the opportunity to look ahead to try to identify the undervalued or overlooked cryptocurrencies and broader crypto sectors that could deliver attractive returns into 2025.

Just like the stock market has the technology and resources sectors amongst others, the crypto market has grown to have its own unique sectors. From artificial intelligence (AI) to memecoins and layer-1 blockchains, these sectors are poised to drive a transformative year for crypto.

Brett Hope Robertson, Head of Crypto Investments at alternative investment platform Altify, explores the key sectors and the standout cryptocurrencies that may be the winners of the 2025 crypto bull run, making a compelling case for why now may be the perfect time to add to your crypto portfolio.

Altify, a regulated app (FSP No. 53289) backed by JSE-listed Sabvest, offers 40+ cryptocurrencies, ETF-style Crypto Bundles, an 11% yielding private credit investment, gold, and more. The fintech services 75k users across South Africa and Europe.

Below, Brett highlights two exciting opportunities from Altify: an exclusive zero buy fee promotion available to all investors, and a limited-time offer for new investors. New investors can kickstart their crypto journey with an instant 40% return on their first investment—a powerful incentive to step into the world of digital assets.

Top Crypto Sectors Are Driven by Leading Cryptocurrencies

The 2025 crypto market is expected to be driven by a combination of innovative sectors, each contributing unique value propositions to the blockchain ecosystem. The top performing crypto sectors include memecoins, AI, layer-1 blockchains (smart contract), and decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms.

Trade these sectors on Altify

4th Place

Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Real-World Assets (RWA)

The Decentralised Finance (DeFi) sector is revolutionising the financial landscape by seamlessly connecting traditional finance with blockchain technology. Real-World Assets (RWAs) such as physical gold, money market funds, stocks, and bonds are being tokenised, bringing tangible assets into the digital realm and unlocking new opportunities for investors.

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, recently emphasised this shift, stating, “The next generation for securities will be [the] tokenisation of securities.”

The most promising DeFi projects include:

• Pendle Finance (PENDLE) | Fee Free on Altify*

3 Month Return: 83%
Pendle Finance simplifies the trading of interest rate swaps using blockchain technology, opening this complex financial market to businesses and individual investors.

Interest rate swaps are financial contracts where two parties exchange interest payments—typically swapping a fixed interest rate for a floating rate or vice versa—allowing participants to hedge against interest rate fluctuations or manage cash flow more effectively.

• Ethena (ENA)

3 Month Return: 72%
Ethena has developed a synthetic dollar stablecoin engineered to maintain a consistent value pegged to the US dollar.

Alongside this, Ethena offers an innovative “internet bond,” designed to provide a secure and efficient platform for online investments and streamlined money management, blending stability with cutting-edge financial tools.

• THORChain (RUNE)

3 Month Return: 52%
THORChain is an interoperable decentralised exchange (DEX) that allows users to swap native crypto assets seamlessly between separate networks.

Think of the NYSE or JSE but all built in a digital blockchain-enabled program.

Trade the DeFi crypto assets with Altify

3rd Place

Layer-1 Blockchains With Smart Contract Functionality

Smart contract based layer-1 blockchains are the foundational networks upon which decentralised applications (dApps) and other blockchain projects are built. These blockchains prioritise the growth of a dApp ecosystem by means of focusing on functionality, scalability, security, and decentralisation. All of the DeFi applications listed above require effective layer-1 blockchains.

The most promising layer-1 projects include:

• Fantom (FTM) | Fee Free on Altify*

3 Month Return: 90%
Fantom is a fast, low-cost blockchain capable of processing over 10,000 transactions per second, ideal for scalable decentralised applications.

• Aptos (APT)

3 Month Return: 80%
Aptos is a secure, high-performance blockchain built with the Move programming language, developed by former Meta engineers for Web3 innovation.

• Solana (SOL)

3 Month Return: 48%
Solana is a top blockchain known for low fees, high-speed transactions, and a thriving ecosystem, driven by its unique Proof of History technology.

Trade all the layer-1 crypto assets with Altify

2nd Place

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as 2024’s top technology trend, reshaping industries from healthcare to finance with smarter, faster, and more efficient processes. Its transformative momentum is set to accelerate further into 2025.

When combined with blockchain technology, AI unlocks even greater possibilities. Blockchain offers transparency, security, and decentralisation, while AI delivers advanced analytics, automation, and decision-making. Together, they create powerful synergies, driving innovation in cutting-edge projects, applications, and services.

The most promising AI projects include:

• Bittensor (TAO) | Fee Free on Altify*

3 Month Return: 87%
Bittensor is transforming how machine learning models are built and shared via blockchain technology. It uses a unique blockchain-based system to incentivise the creation, validation, and sharing of AI models across a distributed network.

• Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET)

3 Month Return: 45%
The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance aims to democratise access to artificial intelligence by combining machine learning and autonomous software agents that execute tasks independently.

• Render (RENDER)

3 Month Return: 44%
Render is a protocol that enables distributed graphics processing via a blockchain.

Trade all the AI crypto assets with Altify

1st Place

Memecoins

Memecoins have captured the crypto community’s attention by combining humour, community spirit, and blockchain technology with real investment potential. Despite their playful nature, memecoins have shown they can be highly lucrative, drawing in a wide base of retail investors to their ecosystems.

Important — Memecoins have provided some of the highest short-term returns in the crypto space, but they are also the most volatile and risky crypto investments. Never invest more than you can afford to lose and remember the value of your investments can go up and down.

The most promising memecoin projects include:

• Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) | Fee Free on Altify*

3 Month Return: 4,700%
PNUT is a Solana-based memecoin inspired by Peanut, New York’s iconic squirrel. More than just a tribute, PNUT brings together a community driven by Peanut’s story, advocating for animal rights, activism, and shared political ideals.

• Act I: The AI Prophecy (ACT) | Fee Free on Altify*

3 Month Return: 3,700%
The AI Prophecy (ACT) is a solana-based memecoin that represents the ACT decentralised open-source platform that aims to revolutionise AI-human collaboration. ACT’s platform allows multiple autonomous AI agents to engage in dynamic, unscripted interactions with the community.

• Dogecoin (DOGE)

3 Month Return: 270%
Dogecoin is a decentralised, peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and blockchain that uses the “Doge” meme as its mascot. DOGE was created in 2013 as a lighthearted alternative to established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and has since gained a mass following.

Trade all the top memecoin crypto assets on Altify

Altify Promotion

For new customers, Altify (FSP No. 53289) is offering you the chance to start your crypto investment journey the right way, with an instant 40% return on your initial investment. Simply sign up with the promo code ALTCOIN200, invest R500 and get R200 into your account.

But that’s not all, Altify is also offering a limited time zero buy fee promotion* on all the top performing tokens in each crypto sector, from the 19th of November to the 26th of November 2024.

These include:

• PENDLE
• FTM
• TAO
• PNUT
• ACT

*You can find Altify’s promotional terms here.

Altify’s mobile app is user-friendly, with no signup or monthly fees, and allows you to start investing with as little as R150.

Risk Disclaimer

Altify SA Capital (Pty) Ltd (FSP 52727) and Altify SA DAS (Pty) Ltd (FSP 53289) are both authorised financial services providers (FSPs).

This article is provided solely for informational purposes. The opinions expressed herein do not constitute investment advice or recommendations, nor should they be regarded as such. This document does not represent an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any of the crypto assets mentioned.

Altify operates as a brokerage service facilitating the reception and transmission of crypto asset orders, without providing investment advice or personalised recommendations. While Altify advocates for the broader accessibility of cryptocurrencies, they may not be suitable for every investor.

It is important to consider your investment goals, experience level, and seek independent financial advice where necessary. Altify strongly recommends conducting comprehensive research before investing in cryptocurrencies.

Investors are solely responsible for their investment decisions. Considering the high volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, please evaluate your financial circumstances carefully before engaging in transactions. Cryptocurrencies carry a high risk, with potential for both significant gains and losses. Investing in cryptocurrencies may lead to a total loss of capital.

Past performance is not indicative of future results, and returns cannot be guaranteed as cryptocurrency values fluctuate based on market supply and demand. Do not invest more than you can afford to lose and seek professional guidance if you are unsure about the suitability of a cryptocurrency investment for your specific situation.

Please refer to the General Risk Disclosures and Crypto Risk Disclosures on Altify’s website for more information. Investments should only be undertaken by individuals who fully understand these risks.

For additional details, please visit www.altify.app