Grayscale Adds Solana and AI Tokens to Top 20 List.
Cryptocurrency is expanding beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2025. This shift is evident in Grayscale’s latest quarterly update, highlighting 20 digital assets with significant potential for growth in the first quarter of the year.
The update introduces six new tokens—Ethena, Hyperliquid, Jupiter, Jito, Virtuals, and Grass—each poised to benefit from trends in decentralized finance, AI innovation, and the Solana blockchain’s resurgence. Grayscale cites factors such as the Republican victory in the US election and the rise of AI “agents” as key drivers for these selections.
Key Highlights
- Grayscale’s Dominance
Managing over $24 billion in assets, Grayscale remains a leading name in crypto ETFs, with Bitcoin and Ethereum as cornerstone investments. However, its new focus signals a broader outlook on emerging opportunities. - AI and DeFi: The Next Frontiers
Virtuals and Grass exemplify the fusion of AI and crypto. Virtuals simplifies creating AI agents on the Base blockchain, while Grass monetizes unused internet bandwidth for AI data scraping. These innovations align with broader economic forecasts estimating AI-crypto integration could inject $20 trillion into the global economy by 2030. - Solana’s Revival
Once in crisis following the FTX collapse, Solana has reclaimed its position as a DeFi powerhouse. Grayscale highlights Jupiter and Jito, two protocols that have driven Solana’s comeback. Jupiter capitalizes on Solana’s memecoin and AI trading niches, while Jito has generated over $500 million in fees in 2024, solidifying its profitability. - New Stablecoin Leadership
Ethena’s stablecoin, USDe, launched in early 2024 and has already surpassed DAI to become the third-largest stablecoin. Meanwhile, Hyperliquid, a trading-focused blockchain, made waves with a lucrative airdrop in November, sparking a renewed interest in DeFi. - List Adjustments
While adding promising tokens, Grayscale also removed six: TON, Near, Stacks, Sky, UMA Protocol, and Celo. The firm maintains confidence in these projects but believes its revised list offers better opportunities for risk-adjusted returns.
BitGalactic’s Perspective
From BitGalactic’s vantage point, this list underscores a crucial shift in crypto’s narrative. The convergence of AI, DeFi, and market-friendly regulations is creating unprecedented opportunities. The strategic inclusion of AI-linked tokens like Virtuals and Grass reflects a forward-thinking approach to emerging technologies. Meanwhile, Solana’s resurgence highlights the industry’s resilience and capacity for reinvention.
Grayscale’s report is a testament to how dynamic the space remains and serves as a roadmap for investors eager to capitalize on these innovations. Expect these intersections—AI, DeFi, and governance—to dominate crypto discussions in the coming years.
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