Why we’re bullish on decentralized AI, PayFi, tokenized assets and beyond

The following is a guest post from Forest Bai, Co-Founder at Foresight Ventures.

As we look ahead to 2025, the confluence of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is transforming industries and unlocking new opportunities. At Foresight Ventures, we see this as a watershed moment—one where decentralized AI, payment finance (PayFi), and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization are emerging as foundational pillars of the next wave of innovation.

These developments are not incremental; they are paradigm shifts. They redefine how technology integrates with global markets, economies, and human systems. At Foresight Ventures, our investment philosophy goes beyond short-term trends. We seek to catalyze structural changes by identifying opportunities with untapped potential, fostering systems with long-term defensible barriers of entry, and scaling technologies that deliver real value.

Here, I’ll outline the six critical sectors we’re bullish on for 2025 and explore why they are poised to redefine the future of decentralized technology.

1. AI + Crypto: Revolutionizing Intelligent Systems

The fusion of AI and blockchain offers transformative potential. AI revolutionizes production processes, while crypto redefines production relationships. Together, they enable a decentralized AI ecosystem where agents—independent systems powered by machine learning—can interact autonomously on the blockchain.

One groundbreaking development is agent-to-agent payments, where AI systems use crypto for seamless value settlement. These interactions are the foundation for a new economy powered by decentralized computation and data networks.

Consider the concept of on-device AI agents, personal assistants that preserve privacy while enabling secure, token-based incentives. Decentralized networks have already reduced AI computation costs by up to 80%, making them a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional providers. As global AI-related energy consumption is projected to rise by 400% in the next five years, these systems represent a sustainable and efficient solution.

2. PayFi: Unlocking Financial Inclusion Through Yield-Bearing Stablecoins

Payments remain one of the most practical and high-frequency blockchain use cases. The advent of interest-bearing stablecoins has added a compelling new dimension. These tokens combine price stability with yield generation, making them attractive to both consumers and businesses.

Global payment revenues are projected to reach $3.3 trillion by 2031, but traditional systems are hampered by high fees, slow settlement times, and inefficiencies. PayFi solutions address these challenges, reducing cross-border fees by up to 90% and accelerating settlement times to mere seconds.

For billions of underbanked individuals worldwide, PayFi represents an opportunity to access financial tools that are faster, cheaper, and more inclusive. Yield-bearing stablecoins, in particular, unlock value for users by providing both utility and financial returns, making them a cornerstone of the PayFi revolution.

3. DeFi × TradFi: Building Bridges for Institutions

The integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional finance (TradFi) is no longer speculative—it’s becoming essential. As institutions increasingly adopt blockchain for trading, custody, and risk management, the need for compliant, user-friendly platforms has never been greater.

Projects like Agora, August, and Aptos are leading the way by enabling institutions to conduct transactions, clearing, and even lending directly on public blockchains. Beyond tokenizing real-world assets, these platforms open new possibilities for institutional engagement in decentralized ecosystems.

By addressing the barriers to institutional participation—such as regulatory compliance and operational complexity—DeFi × TradFi integration is creating a seamless pathway for financial institutions to leverage blockchain technology.

4. Tokenized Real-World Assets: Unlocking Trillions in Value

Tokenizing traditionally illiquid assets, such as real estate, bonds, and commodities, is unlocking trillions in value. By 2030, RWA tokenization is expected to represent 10% of global GDP, or approximately $10 trillion.

Smart contracts automate transactions, reducing settlement times from weeks to minutes. Fractional ownership and increased liquidity are democratizing access to assets that were once confined to institutional investors.

These advancements are not just technological—they are transformational. By bridging traditional finance with blockchain, tokenized RWAs are creating more inclusive and efficient financial systems. This integration is more than a trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how value is created and exchanged globally.

5. Migrating High-Traffic Traditional Apps On-Chain

One of the most promising opportunities lies in bringing high-traffic traditional applications onto the blockchain. Many of these applications have established user bases and proven business models but lack a dominant industry leader.

Blockchain enables these businesses to optimize their commercial loops, introduce innovative revenue-sharing models, and scale globally. Projects like Story Protocol, Sleepless.ai, and TON are pioneering this transition, bridging Web2 users to Web3 ecosystems.

These applications demonstrate how blockchain can unlock new growth opportunities by enhancing user engagement and creating decentralized value ecosystems. The migration of traditional apps onto the blockchain is not just a technical evolution—it’s a reimagining of how businesses operate in the digital age.

6. Web3 Identity: The Key to Decentralization

As Web3 grows, the need for a secure, private, and permissionless identity layer becomes paramount. Without it, decentralized applications cannot fully integrate on-chain and off-chain scenarios.

Projects like SpaceID, Sign, and Mocaverse are building universal identity systems that allow users to access multi-chain services with a single private key or ID. These solutions ensure trust, interoperability, and privacy—key pillars for mass adoption.

By enabling seamless user experiences across platforms, Web3 identity systems are laying the groundwork for a decentralized internet where users retain control of their data and interactions.

Transforming Industries With Structural Innovation

The six sectors outlined above are more than investment opportunities—they represent the building blocks of a larger transformation. At Foresight Ventures, we prioritize long-term value creation by investing in systems that are scalable, defensible, and structurally transformative.

Projects that lack significant market potential, scalability, or economic moats are not part of our thesis. Instead, we focus on innovations that address real-world inefficiencies and build self-reinforcing ecosystems.

For example, decentralized AI systems offer transparency and neutrality, while compliance ensures scalability within regulatory frameworks. Ecosystem loops—where networks reinforce adoption and utility—drive sustainable growth and create lasting value.

Looking Ahead: A New Era of Innovation

As we enter 2025, the convergence of AI, PayFi, and tokenization marks the beginning of a new era. Decentralized AI will make systems smarter and more secure. PayFi will reshape global payments, providing financial tools to billions of underserved users. Tokenized RWAs will connect blockchain with traditional finance, unlocking trillions in value.

At Foresight Ventures, we’re not just investors—we’re builders. We back creators, innovators, and visionaries who are laying the foundations for this new economy. By anticipating structural shifts and investing in systems that create enduring value, we aim to shape the future of decentralized technology.

The opportunities ahead are immense, but they require focus, clarity, and discipline. While it’s easy to get excited about innovation, the real challenge lies in building things that last. As we move into 2025, the time to build is now.