In 2025, decentralized finance (DeFi) is expected to experience significant growth driven by Bitcoin staking, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and agentic artificial intelligence (AI). With Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) spurring investment in 2024, industry leaders anticipate a resurgence in crypto interest from institutions and regulators. Total value locked (TVL) in DeFi approaches all-time highs, suggesting a positive trend into 2025. Key DeFi protocols like Aave and Maker are expected to provide reliable platforms for institutional adoption of Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin staking's potential is vast, with only 0.1% of Bitcoin's asset value currently engaged in DeFi, indicating a significant growth opportunity. RWA tokenization is recognized as a $30 trillion market, unlocking liquidity and streamlining cross-border transactions. Lastly, the integration of AI with blockchain could enhance decentralized applications, with agentic AIs poised to play a vital role in community interactions by 2025.

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