The crypto industry is on the brink of something remarkable as we look ahead to 2025. Changes are brewing that could redefine how we interact with cryptocurrencies, particularly with a major tech upgrade slated for Ethereum, which many believe could usher in a new era of mainstream adoption.
For years, enthusiasts have predicted that crypto would break into the mainstream, but numerous hurdles have kept typical users at bay. While innovative on-chain products have surfaced, they hardly managed to compete with the user-friendly experiences offered by traditional Web2 platforms. However, the upcoming Ethereum upgrade in February is poised to simplify access to on-chain applications, making them much more appealing to everyday consumers.
David Silverman, a prominent voice at Polygon, reflects on the missed opportunities during the last crypto bull market in 2021. Interest was high, but the technology wasn’t quite there yet. With plans for the 2025 bull cycle, Silverman is optimistic that crypto products will finally meet user expectations. He asserts, “If we do see a mass inflow of interest this next cycle, we will be able to show a proper example of what we think the Web3 future is, as opposed to just glimmers of hope.”
What’s fueling this optimism? The forthcoming Pectra upgrade is set to revolutionize user experience by removing the previous barriers that made on-chain applications so complex. Say goodbye to high gas fees and the need for special wallets just to handle smart contracts. After this upgrade, users will have the convenience of signing transactions with FaceID and can even interact with certain apps without signing at all.
Another game-changing feature of Pectra is the ability for basic wallets—like those from Coinbase and MetaMask—to function as smart wallets. Starting in February, these wallets will allow users to pay gas fees in any cryptocurrency they choose, including stablecoins. Plus, the ability to sign transactions using universal tools like Apple’s FaceID and TouchID marks a significant leap forward in user accessibility.
Mark Tyneway, co-founder of the Ethereum layer-2 network Optimism, echoes the sentiment about this upgrade. He mentions that the new signing mechanisms will enable much more intricate interactions on-chain with just a single click. In a move that would have seemed impossible in the past, session keys will allow everyday users to engage with various sites or apps for extended periods while securely executing multiple on-chain actions—without needing to understand the complex backend processes.
Tyneway paints an engaging picture, saying, “Imagine having the entire Instagram experience on-chain without it feeling like it. It’s going to unlock a massive wave of innovation.” With Pectra, developers will be poised to design seamless experiences where features like gas fees are sponsored and transaction approvals become nearly invisible to users. This creates the potential for crypto applications that feel as intuitive as leading Web2 apps but come with the unique benefits that only Web3 can offer.
Silverman expresses his excitement about this inevitable transformation: “Crypto UX is about to level up. This is the unlock.” As the year progresses, all eyes will be on Ethereum’s innovations to see if they can finally bridge the long-searched gap between crypto and the masses.
