A recent survey by JPMorgan focusing on institutional traders revealed that over 70% of respondents have no intention to trade cryptocurrencies this year, with the percentage slightly decreasing from 78% in 2024.
However, the number of traders interested in engaging with crypto has risen, with 16% of participants planning to trade digital assets and 13% already active in the space.
Despite this, all participants in the survey expressed their intention to increase online or e-trading activity, especially in less liquid assets. This shift in focus comes amid a more favorable regulatory landscape for digital currencies in the U.S. following significant changes at financial agencies.
While the institutional interest in crypto remains modest, inflation and tariffs are expected to be major concerns for the markets in 2025, followed by increasing geopolitical tensions. Market volatility was flagged as the biggest challenge for traders, with a noticeable increase in concern compared to the previous year.
The survey, which included 4,200 participants across 60 locations, was conducted between January 9 and 23. In addition to trading trends, signals have emerged indicating that the U.S. government is softening its stance on crypto, with the SEC scaling back its enforcement actions.
Further, a potential sovereign wealth fund, as directed by former President Trump, might include Bitcoin investments. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are looking to bring stablecoins under domestic control to bolster the dollar’s dominance, both in international markets and digital spaces.
Geopolitical conflict rattles markets, but history shows panic selling crypto in response is usually the wrong move.
Bitcoin-focused investment firm Strategy Inc. (formerly MicroStrategy) is facing mounting legal pressure as at least five law firms have filed class-action lawsuits over the company’s $6 billion in unrealized Bitcoin losses.
Digital banking platform SoFi Technologies is making a strong return to the cryptocurrency space, relaunching its crypto trading and blockchain services after stepping away from the sector in late 2023.
Digital assets are gaining ground in corporate finance strategies, as more publicly traded companies embrace cryptocurrencies for treasury diversification.