The first quarter of 2025 was truly heated for the crypto industry — both in terms of user interest and global regulatory developments. According to a recent CoinGecko report, over half of all crypto investor attention was focused on artificial intelligence and meme tokens, while the former SEC chairman once again reminded the world that 99% of altcoins are scams. At the same time, governments and major platforms began taking their first steps toward creating official crypto reserves.
AI and Memes: The Leading Narratives
According to CoinGecko, in the first three months of 2025, a whopping 62.8% of user interest in the crypto space went to two main narratives — artificial intelligence and meme coins.
Out of the top 20 most popular tokens, six were meme-related (like DOGE, PEPE, WIF), and five were tied to AI-based projects (such as FET, AGIX, OCEAN).
Meme coins accounted for 27.1% of user interest, while AI tokens made up 35.7%.
This shows that users are actively seeking both hype-driven and tech-forward assets. Memes bring fun and virality to the space, while AI protocols earn trust through real-world tech applications and their relevance to the future of Web3.
The U.S. Enters the Scene: Crypto Reserves and Trump
Interest in U.S.-linked tokens (like USDT, USDC, and tokens from U.S.-based platforms) also surged. According to CoinGecko, U.S.-related tokens drew 9.5% of user attention — significantly more than in previous periods.
The reason? A presidential directive from Donald Trump, which announced the formation of a task force to explore a national crypto reserve. This move sparked investor curiosity and triggered discussions about the potential for a U.S. sovereign crypto fund.
Binance CEO Richard Teng confirmed that the company is advising governments on the creation of such reserves — a strong signal that official crypto standards may soon bridge the gap between governments and crypto businesses.
SEC Steps In: Custody Rules and Gensler’s Shadow
On April 25, the SEC will hold a roundtable featuring industry participants to discuss a critical topic: custody of digital assets. This issue is key for institutional investors — where and how should large volumes of crypto be stored, who is responsible, and what protections will be standardized?
Meanwhile, former SEC chair Gary Gensler, known for his tough stance on crypto, resurfaced in an interview with CNBC, delivering a few hard-hitting lines:
▪️ “99% of altcoins are scams.”
▪️ “Bitcoin could last a long time, while thousands of other coins will sink.”
▪️ “There are many cryptocurrencies, just like there are many metals — but only a few are precious.”
Once again, Gensler emphasized that Bitcoin remains the core digital asset, while everything else demands sober analysis and real due diligence.
Solana, Ethereum, and Others Hold Their Ground
The top 20 most discussed projects also featured major blockchain ecosystems: Solana, Ethereum, Base, and Sui.
Despite all the buzz around AI and memes, these platforms continue to form the foundation of DeFi, NFTs, and L2 solutions.
Ethereum remains the go-to layer-one smart contract platform. Solana is growing thanks to its high speed and low fees. Base enjoys backing from Coinbase, while Sui is betting on scalability and UX improvements.
In Q1 2025, the crypto market showed several clear directions: hype trends (memes), tech innovation (AI), institutional development (crypto reserves), and stricter regulation (SEC).
In the middle of it all, Bitcoin remains the anchor, a symbol of stability and trust for both traditional and crypto investors — while other assets are being tested by time, attention, and actual utility.
The coming quarters will reveal which narratives survive the market’s pressure, and which will fade away as nothing more than short-lived sparks.
