Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has surpassed 300 million registered users worldwide. This milestone underscores the accelerating pace at which digital assets are being adopted, transitioning from experimental phases to long-term participation. Matt Poblocki, General Manager of Binance Australia & New Zealand, described 2025 as a pivotal year for the cryptocurrency sector. "It took Binance nearly five years to amass its first 100 million users, then just over two years for the next 100 million, and only 18 months for the latest 100 million - a rate of over 180,000 new users joining each day," Mr Poblocki remarked.

The rapid growth in user numbers is indicative of a broader shift within the industry. "This accelerating participation aligns with crypto moving from speculation to consolidation. We saw users become more deliberate, institutions step in at scale, and regulators move from observing the market to actively shaping it," Poblocki explained. This combination, he believes, has fundamentally altered the industry's trajectory, laying a robust foundation for the future.

The evolution of the crypto market in 2025 was marked by increased investor sophistication, with many opting to rotate into established, blue-chip assets during periods of market volatility, rather than exiting the market entirely. According to Binance's 2025 User Pulse survey, which involved over 95,000 users across 48 markets, half of the respondents now identify as long-term holders. Their primary motivations include portfolio diversification, seeking higher returns, and investing for future purchases such as buying a home. Security, trust, and asset protection remain top priorities for new entrants into the market.

On a global scale, Binance maintained a stronghold in liquidity and trading activity. Data from Kaiko reveals that Binance's share of global Bitcoin and Ethereum trading volume consistently ranged between 35% and 45% throughout the year. Average daily Bitcoin volumes fluctuated between US$5-10 billion, peaking near US$20 billion, while Ethereum volumes regularly reached US$15 billion. Binance now safeguards over US$170 billion in customer assets, based on public Proof of Reserves, highlighting the scale and trust placed in the platform.

In Australia, investor behaviour in 2025 mirrored global trends, with a clear shift towards fundamentals. Research by Protocol Theory, commissioned by Binance Australia, found that over 1 in 4 Australians (26%) now own cryptocurrency, with an additional 32% open to investing in the future. As adoption grows, trading activity has increasingly concentrated around established, large-cap assets. Bitcoin remained the most traded cryptocurrency on Binance Australia in December, followed by Ethereum and Solana. The stability of the top 10 traded assets underscores a preference for scale, liquidity, and established networks. "Australian investors showed a clear shift toward fundamentals this year," Mr Poblocki noted. "Rather than chasing hype, they consolidated around credible, large-cap assets. That discipline is a strong signal of a maturing and informed local market."

Looking ahead, Binance anticipates 2026 will be characterised by deeper integration between digital assets and the global financial system, bolstered by growing institutional participation and clearer regulation. One of the clearest signals of this shift is the changing profile of Bitcoin ownership. Bitcoin held on exchanges has fallen to its lowest level in five years, while holdings by public companies and ETFs continue to rise. More than 200 public companies now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, a shift that could help reduce volatility and soften extreme market cycles.

This trend is evident on Binance's platform, which saw a 14% increase in institutional users and a 13% rise in institutional trading volumes year-on-year. This momentum is expected to accelerate in 2026 as regulatory clarity improves and corporate treasuries diversify beyond traditional assets. Mr Poblocki emphasised the importance of regulation in shaping the future of the industry: "Global and local regulatory progress is ensuring crypto is here to stay. In Australia, clearer regulations will help the wider industry strike the right balance between innovation and user protection."

Stablecoins are also set to play a larger role in the coming year. With a global market capitalisation now exceeding US$300 billion, they are increasingly being used for payments, remittances, and value preservation. "Ultimately, 2026 will be about moving beyond hype and speculation toward delivering real, scalable value," Poblocki stated. "We believe that the crypto industry’s next chapter is one of purposeful adoption, trust, and long-term impact. When innovation meets responsibility, that is when digital assets will become an integral part of everyday finance."