The recent ETHDenver 2025 crypto conference showcased the resilience and innovation within the blockchain community. The DWF Ventures team shares key takeaways from the event.
Why Blockchain Builders’ Vibes Are Up
Judging by the ETHDenver’s participants, the crypto community’s morale remains high, with the most visible advancements in AI and DeFi, placed among the biggest trends in crypto for 2025.
Notably, Virtuals Venture underwent a rebranding, launching an ecosystem fund dedicated to supporting AI agent developers on Virtual Protocol. Blockchain projects like EigenLayer are also advancing infrastructure to support AI x Crypto applications.
In DeFi, the focus has shifted towards stablecoins and Maximal Extractable Value (MEV). Emerging projects such as Cap Labs, Resolv Labs, and Theo Network are preparing to introduce new stablecoins and infrastructure solutions. The MEV sector is experiencing growth, with developments in pre-confirmations and rollups creating new opportunities for arbitrage and yield generation.
Emerging Ecosystems and Community Engagement
Several blockchain ecosystems, both pre and post-Token Generation Event (TGE), demonstrated strong engagement. Pre-TGE projects like Monad, MegaETH, and Initia hosted hacker houses and events, highlighting upcoming launches and testnets.
MegaETH’s public testnet is scheduled to commence in the beginning of March 2025, driving anticipation within the community. Post-TGE projects such as Berachain, Story Protocol, and Movement Labs also attracted attention, hosting events like Story Protocol’s Agent Hackathon to onboard new builders during ETHDenver.
The U.S. as a Hub for Blockchain Innovation
The United States continues to be a center of blockchain development, particularly in cities like New York and San Francisco, which boast robust ecosystems of crypto venture capitalists and Web3 projects.
Traditional institutions are increasingly seeking exposure to blockchain technologies, leading to growth in the Real-World Asset (RWA) and stablecoin sectors. Initiatives by Ondo Finance and Ethena Labs, in collaboration with institutions like Mastercard and Franklin Templeton, aim to enhance accessibility of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, more protocols are introducing physical cards that allow users to spend crypto in real life, exemplified by the launch of the MetaMask debit card.
Next Stop: Digital Asset Summit 2025
After ETHDenver, the team of DWF Ventures is headed to New York and the Digital Asset Summit 2025, organised by Blockworks. Feel free to reach out to our crypto venture capital firm if you will be there.
Related Articles
New collaborations, investments, market research, global events and internal developments
DWF Ventures on the key market drivers: stablecoins, consumer crypto, DeFAI, AI x Crypto, and more
The largest Ethereum conference, EthCC, has concluded in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together