Grayscale Adds AI Launchpads and Solana DeFi Apps to Q1 2025 Top Tokens List
Grayscale has expanded its Q1 2025 list of top tokens to include a range of AI platforms and Solana-based DeFi applications. The new additions reflect key trends such as a friendlier regulatory environment in the United States, advancements in decentralized AI, and growth in the Solana ecosystem.
Key Highlights:
- New Tokens Added: The updated list includes Hyperliquid (HYPE), Ethena (ENA), Virtuals (VIRTUAL), Jupiter (JUP), Jito (JTO), and Grass (GRASS).
- AI Platforms: Virtuals and Grass are AI platforms, while Hyperliquid is a high-performance Layer-1 (L1) network.
- DeFi Apps: Ethena, Jupiter, and Jito are decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, with Jupiter and Jito native to Solana.
Grayscale’s Q1 2025 watch list highlights these tokens as benefiting from the US regulatory shift, breakthroughs in decentralized AI, and the expanding Solana ecosystem. The firm remains optimistic about previously popular themes like Ethereum scaling solutions, tokenization, and decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN).
Industry Trends Driving Growth:
US Regulatory Environment: Grayscale notes that a more favorable regulatory climate in the US is a key factor propelling the growth of these tokens.
Solana DeFi Growth: The total value locked (TVL) in Solana DeFi apps surged from around $1.5 billion in January to nearly $8.5 billion by December, driven by apps like Jupiter and Jito.
AI Integration: AI agents are expected to play a larger role within decentralized communities, with AI use cases such as staking and on-chain trading emerging as early applications.
Performance Insights:
Jito’s Revenue Surge: Jito, a Solana staking pool, achieved over $100 million in monthly revenue from priority fees and tips in November and December.
DeFi and Staking Growth: The growth of DeFi and staking in Solana is contributing to the overall rise in decentralized applications, particularly in anticipation of a more supportive regulatory regime in the US.
As the cryptocurrency industry anticipates significant growth in 2025, these tokens represent the cutting edge of emerging technologies in AI, DeFi, and blockchain innovation, with Grayscale’s watchlist highlighting them as key assets to monitor.
