What if we told you that blockchain is now building physical infrastructure, AI is taking over DeFi, and gaming is about to be completely transformed by Web3?
2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for Web3 innovation, and investors are taking note.
From decentralized infrastructure networks to AI-driven finance and tokenized real-world assets, we have analyzed 5 hot verticals that we expect to have significant investments this year.
1. Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)
Traditionally, large corporations and centralized entities have controlled critical infrastructure like cloud computing, wireless networks, and energy grids. But what if these services could be owned and operated by the community instead? That’s exactly what DePIN is doing: utilizing blockchain technology to decentralize physical infrastructure, enabling community-driven development and management of resources such as computing power, storage, and connectivity.
According to Grok, in 2024, DePIN experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a $20 billion to a $50 billion sector. Moreover, the number of active DePIN projects surged to over 1,170. This highlights the increasing interest and investment in this space, making our team think that DePIN investments will keep growing in 2025, too.
2. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization
The traditional financial system is outdated, slow, and exclusive. Buying real estate, investing in bonds, or trading private equity often requires weeks of paperwork, intermediaries, and high fees.
Tokenization changes the game by bringing these assets on-chain, making transactions instant, borderless, and efficient. Why do we think it’s here to stay?
In 2024, VC giants like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs invested heavily in RWA tokenization, recognizing its potential to modernize traditional finance. More and more companies, like Kima Network, are building solutions to decentralize the RWA sector.
What’s more, according to Boston Consulting Group, tokenized real-world assets could surpass $16 trillion by 2030, which makes us think this trend will be ongoing in the next few years.
3. AI and Decentralized Finance (DeFAI)
DeFAI is the mixture of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi), where AI agents are integrated into DeFi platforms to automate and optimize financial operations.
The trend of integrating AI into DeFi has grown in 2020 and gained significant momentum last year, with numerous projects exploring this fusion to create more dynamic and responsive financial systems.
AI-powered bots are now capable of executing complex trading strategies, managing assets, and providing personalized financial advice. Just look at Cookie3’s platform, Cookie.Fun, which tracks thousands of AI agents that have recently emerged.
4. GameFi
GameFi, a blend of gaming and decentralized finance, has seen substantial investment and growth in recent years. In 2024 and 2025, companies have made significant investments in the GameFi space. Notably, platforms like Animoca Brands, Gala Games, Immutable, Illuvium, and others have gained traction by providing scalable solutions for blockchain gaming, enabling seamless integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets into gaming ecosystems. The gaming industry continues to embrace blockchain technology, merging entertainment with economic opportunity through play-to-earn (P2E) and Metaverse platforms.
5. Decentralized Social Networks & the Creator Economy
Decentralized social networks are platforms that utilize blockchain technology to give users control over their data and content, fostering a more equitable and transparent digital environment. These networks empower creators by enabling direct monetization of their work without relying on traditional intermediaries.
In 2024, creator-focused startups secured over $900 million in new funding across 17 companies. The trend toward decentralization in social media is gaining traction, and we expect it to continue to grow in 2025.
What’s Next for Web3 Venture Capital in 2025?
The Web3 investment landscape in 2025 is no longer just about speculation—it’s about real-world adoption, technological breakthroughs, and financial transformation. Trends like DePIN, RWA tokenization, DeFAI, GameFi, decentralized social networks, and others are shaping the next evolution of blockchain, opening up entirely new markets and revenue streams.
For venture capitalists, understanding and strategically investing in these areas can lead to significant returns and contribute to the evolution of a more decentralized digital economy. As these trends continue to develop, this evolution will not only disrupt traditional models but also foster a more inclusive, interconnected, and sustainable technological landscape where innovation thrives and participation is open to all.
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