2025-12-25 22:22:08

The crypto community has long moved beyond the era where Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate the spotlight. True opportunities are actually hidden in those projects that are quietly deepening their roots.

Having been in the industry for many years, I’ve seen too many investors obsessively watch Bitcoin day after day. But now, it’s different — how prosperous is the blockchain ecosystem? A bunch of projects with practical applications in niche fields have long outpaced traditional giants.

Institutional funds continuously flow in through ETFs, and by 2025, the cryptocurrency market will have completely transformed. It’s no longer just a speculative game but driven by real utility. Today, I don’t want to talk about those old clichés; let’s focus on the real players building the infrastructure of future digital finance.

**Disruptors in Cross-Border Payments**

Traditional financial systems? Inefficient and costly — that’s precisely where blockchain shines.

XRP is reshaping cross-border payments. After settling the lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, legal barriers have been cleared, and more financial institutions are now using XRP for cross-border settlements. International transfers are completed in seconds, with almost negligible fees, far beyond the SWIFT system. Although the price has fluctuated this year, the trend of expanding application scenarios is clear, making this project worth long-term attention.

**The Unsung Heroes of Smart Contracts**

Chainlink is the infrastructure of the smart contract world. You can think of it as, if smart contracts are the protocol framework of the digital age, Chainlink is the critical link that makes these protocols truly operational.

XRP0.48%

LINK2.06%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

15 Likes

Reward
15
6
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

liquidation_surfer

· 11h ago

XRP has indeed surged this time, but I still feel that the institutional money entering is a bit too fast, it seems like a dump is coming. Chainlink has been optimistic for a long time; infrastructure is truly a long-term money maker. To put it nicely, it's still speculation, just a different name. Is this round really different? It still feels the same. After writing so much, I just want to say that there are opportunities in niche sectors? I'm not that naive. XRP being compliant is indeed impressive, but how many projects in the crypto world have remained viable after achieving compliance? Chainlink really has no complaints, but its valuation has already been priced in.

View OriginalReply0

LightningWallet

· 12h ago

You're right, we are truly in an era where it's about evaluating projects rather than just coins. I got on the XRP bandwagon early, and honestly, I regret not accumulating a bit more. --- Chainlink is indeed top-notch; infrastructure will always be a business, and that logic is correct. --- Institutional entry has changed everything; it's no longer just retail investors celebrating. --- In the actual application of niche fields, it ultimately depends on who is really working on it, not just hype. --- After XRP settled with the SEC, I knew this thing was bound to take off sooner or later. I realize now that I was a bit late. --- The SWIFT system really should be phased out; with such low efficiency, why still use it? --- Long-termism does make money, but you need to choose the right projects; otherwise, you'll be losing money in the long run. --- Chainlink is definitely one of those things that will always exist; the Oracle problem must always be solved. --- Back to the point, the real money-making opportunities are indeed in unassuming places; most people are still watching K-line charts.

View OriginalReply0

MoonWaterDroplets

· 12h ago

Deeply developing projects is the real thing. The Bitcoin approach has become stale. Infrastructure like XRP and LINK is the future.

View OriginalReply0

AirdropDreamBreaker

· 12h ago

XRP this time really got it right. After the SEC settlement, institutional entry has been much faster than expected. With such a huge demand for cross-border payments, who still uses SWIFT? Chainlink has long been overdue for a rally. Being a foundational infrastructure project is a blessing, but the problem is that its valuation is already so high... Niche tracks are indeed gold mines, but frankly, most projects are still just storytelling. Only a few can actually be implemented. Institutional entry is a good thing, but this wave of gains has already overextended expectations for half a year. I'm still a bit skeptical. Focusing deeply on projects can indeed lead to neglect, but I'm worried about choosing the wrong one and being a sidekick for two years. ETF support has definitely changed the game, but real application implementation is the real test, isn't it? Once the XRP lawsuit is settled, it certainly has imagination, but it still depends on how quickly financial institutions accept it. Chainlink's oracle is indeed a necessity, but there are now quite a few competitors. Is the moat still deep enough? I love hearing the term "utility-driven," but whether someone can truly achieve it remains to be seen.

View OriginalReply0

BlockchainBouncer

· 12h ago

XRP has really been undervalued this time. After the SEC settlement, institutions are starting to enter the market. It should have been like this a long time ago.

View OriginalReply0

QuorumVoter

· 12h ago

XRP this wave really got it right, I've been saying for a long time that SWIFT should be replaced, and now we're finally seeing some movement. Chainlink is on point, but the real profits are still in the underlying infrastructure, everyone is focused on the flashy projects. Institutional entry is changing the game, this time it's truly different. Niche sectors are the real gold mines, the Bitcoin set is already getting old. It sounds so good, but in the end, it's just gambling. Who has actually used XRP for transfers? Application value sounds good, but on-chain adoption volume speaks the truth. 2025 feels like it's heading towards practicality, the speculative phase is gradually coming to an end. Chainlink's price feed mechanism is crucial; if this collapses, everything collapses. Cross-border payments are definitely XRP's main arena, the SEC lawsuit was a good gamble. No hype, no black, the real alpha lies in these unassuming toolchains.

View OriginalReply0