The clock is ticking into 2023, and the question on everyone’s mind is will cryptocurrency keep pace with the march of time? Cryptocurrency has come a long way since its inception, with many experts hailing it as the future of money. However, there are still many challenges that the crypto world needs to overcome in order to be widely adopted by mainstream society. The volatility of the crypto markets, lack of regulation, and security concerns are a few of the issues that are being talked about.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing sense of optimism that 2023 could be a breakthrough year for cryptocurrency. With advancements in technology, increased institutional investment, and growing public awareness, veterans are suggesting that the crypto world is well-positioned to make significant strides forward this year.
On that note, it’s worth taking a look at the upcoming advancements and innovations expected to take centre stage in the world of cryptocurrency. These developments and mouldings highlight not only the growth and advancements in this field but also the importance they hold for shaping the future.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that trends and patterns in data can change unexpectedly, making it essential to approach predictions and forecasts with a healthy dose of scepticism. As an example, in 2022, one of the first major market disturbances occurred in March when hackers targeted the Ronin network, followed by a chain of events that led to the collapse of major protocols and the entire year turned out to be quite volatile. This serves as a reminder that even with the most thorough research and analysis, unforeseen events can still have a significant impact on market trends and patterns.
Let’s examine some of the anticipated trends and happenings –
Building for the Long-term and Finding Opportunity in Disruptive Crypto Market Conditions
The crypto landscape of 2018 may seem like a distant memory, but it’s worth reflecting on the lessons it holds. Back then, amidst turmoil and uncertainty, a number of projects were born that have since gone on to achieve success. Names like Polkadot, Solana, and Cardano, which were just whispering back then, have now become household names.
Fast forward to 2022, and the crypto market is once again in a state of flux. If the overall situation continues, it’s possible that interest in crypto and web3 could be disturbed. However, it’s important to remember that these disguised macroeconomic situations can also be a blessing in disguise. They offer an opportunity to focus on the fundamentals to build solid products that will stand the test of time
Road to Regulations
Calls for stricter crypto regulation are on the rise. They come from all corners of the financial, judicial and government arenas, as well as from consumer rights advocates. The recent FTX debacle has been a major catalyst for these calls. In the US, The House Financial Services Committee is holding a hearing on FTX this week, and investigations are expected to continue into the new year. Similarly, in the UK, the deputy governor of the Bank of England has called for the government to bring crypto activities and entities under regulation. Besides, the European Union is planning to continue making progress in implementing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation.
The Crypto Policy Forum, at the annual Consensus gathering in Austin, Texas, is planning to bring together leaders from the government and the crypto and blockchain community to discuss the future of regulation in the industry. The forum aims to foster an international consensus on how to strike a balance between protecting users and boosting confidence in the digital asset industry while ensuring equitable financial access for all.
Hence, it is anticipated that 2023 will see a rise in regulatory oversight, with stricter crypto market regulations and more robust enforcement in various countries worldwide.
Governments Embrace the Future with Centralized Digital Currencies (CDBCs)
In 2020, The Bahamas made history by becoming the first country to officially launch its own digital currency, the Sand Dollar, which is the digital equivalent of the Bahamian Dollar. This move has set a precedent for other countries to follow suit and explore the benefits of digital currencies.
Following The Bahamas’ lead, China also made a significant move by testing and launching the pilot version of its digital Yuan in 2022. The digital Yuan has been made available in 23 major cities, and the government has plans to roll it out nationwide in the coming year. This shows the eagerness of the countries to adopt digital currencies and leverage the benefits they bring in terms of faster and more efficient transactions and financial inclusions. The governments are also looking forward to the potential to gain better control over the monetary supply and curb money laundering and other financial crimes.
Ethereum’s Shanghai Update
The Shanghai Update is an eagerly awaited upgrade to the Ethereum network following its recent merger. With this update, tokens that have been staked and sent to the Ethereum 2.0 contract before the merge, will be able to be withdrawn.
Not only that, this upgrade is expected to bring critical updates and significant changes to the Ethereum blockchain’s EVM functionality, such as cutting down gas fees for Layer 2 solutions built on Ethereum. With this, analysts predicted that Ethereum is expected to soar to new heights and surpass its performance from last year.
From DEXs to NFTs, the Evolving Landscape of Crypto Applications
The ultimate goal of cryptocurrency is to provide transparency, security, and decentralisation, resulting in a trustless environment. In 2023, we may see more technological advancements in the decentralised finance (DeFi) market, leading to even more exciting applications.
Additionally, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained immense popularity since 2021. In recent years, there has been a significant amount of discussion about crypto games and collectables with the emergence of NFTs. With this new asset class, there has been a change in the way these assets can be utilised. This market is predicted to continue to advance technologically and creatively.
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by Liminal
