2024 Crypto OTC trading surged 106% YoY: Finery

The year 2025 looks promising for the cryptocurrency sector after sectors such as OTC and stablecoin trading saw significant growth in 2024, according to experts at Finery Markets.

Over-the-counter trading volume increased 106% year-over-year in 2024 as the digital asset market recorded new highs and euphoric sentiment, Finery Markets told crypto.news via email on the 10th. January.

The multinational non-custodial crypto infrastructure company attributed the OTC rally to growing demand for stablecoins and increased crypto-to-crypto transitions, particularly during the second half of 2024 and the fourth quarter.

Sales activity in the fourth quarter far exceeded all other quarters. The second quarter, benefiting from the successful launch of BTC ETFs, was the only other quarter to achieve triple-digit growth at 110%. The first and third quarters followed with growth rates of 80% and 78% respectively.

Ornament markets

Transactions with stablecoins – tokens tied to fiat currencies like the US dollar – increased 147% year-over-year, while stablecoins surged 191% year-over-year in the fourth quarter due to post- electoral.

Attachment (USDT) retained its dominance in the $210 billion stablecoin market, with market capitalization peaking at $140 billion in mid-December for the first time ever. Circle USD Coin (USDC) also regained a market capitalization of $45 billion, approaching its peak of $56 billion before the bank panic in early 2023.

Crypto Outlook for 2025

Finery Markets agreed with the broader bullish sentiment for 2025, forecasting that institutional adoption of decentralized financial protocols could gain momentum if regulators provide clear guidelines for the sector.

The company also highlighted the potential for real-world tokenized assets to gain traction, improve global liquidity, and introduce 24/7 trading to traditional markets.

Businesses can also offer crypto-based loans, encouraged by the success of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds. A global shift to BTC reserves could also push countries and organizations to rethink old “zero exposure strategies.”

Spot Bitcoin ETFs on Wall Street now manage over $100 billion in investor assets. US policymakers, including President Donald Trump, have expressed interest in creating a national Bitcoin reserve.

Pro-crypto sentiment in US politics and economics opens the possibility of a more favorable environment for the digital assets sector to re-emerge. This could set the stage in 2025 for mass and rapid adoption, driven by demand from U.S.-based institutions.

Finery Markets also highlighted potential challenges in Europe, noting that small, centralized exchanges could face liquidity issues. The bloc’s new MiCA regulatory framework could push these platforms to adopt broker-dealer models and seek new partnerships to ensure compliance.