Coinstore Recap: Beyond the Hype, What’s the Next Big Thing ?

5 min readMar 28, 2025

Coinstore recently hosted an insightful X Space titled Coinstore Recap: Beyond the Hype, What’s the Next Big Thing.

Here is the full recap:

Kaden: We’ve seen DeFi summer, the MEME coin explosion, and now the rise of AI x Crypto. Which of these trends do you think brought the most real innovation so far — and which were mostly hype?

Kiv: DeFi introduced real structural innovations like AMMs and liquidity mining. Although APY farming became oversaturated later on, the fundamentals remain intact. I’ve been watching DeFi for a while now, but nothing particularly exciting has emerged recently. In this cycle, DeFi has actually declined — once AAVE introduced tokenized treasuries, it became clear that lending demand is the true core of DeFi.

MEME coins are mostly pump-and-dump PVP games — 99% result in losses. In a zero-sum game, the more people lose or exit, the harder it becomes to attract new capital. Trump and other celebrity tokens have proven this. That said, MEMEs are like a big casino and arguably the strongest user acquisition tool in Web3. Not just pure hype, but not tech innovation either.

AI x Crypto is mostly still surface-level — many projects slap on an “AI” label for marketing. Real applications that could transform on-chain experiences, like AI-driven data analytics or smart contract automation, are still rare. But if these areas develop, AI will truly become valuable in Web3.

So, to sum up: DeFi brought real technical change, MEMEs are powerful growth tools, and AI is still exploratory — but full of potential.

Kaden: DeFi protocols are now focusing on sustainability over APY wars. Are we finally entering DeFi 2.0 — or is there still room for fundamental growth?

Kiv: Early DeFi felt like a mix of high-yield savings and gambling. Everyone chased sky-high APYs, and once the incentives stopped, projects collapsed. Now we’re seeing more focus on real yield, protocol revenue sharing, and sustainable lending. It’s no longer just about farming wars.

But is this truly DeFi 2.0?

Currently, DeFi is still mostly an internal game — borrowing and market making happen within the crypto bubble. The real version of DeFi 2.0 should bridge with “traditional capital,” like tokenizing real-world assets, blockchain-based bonds, and cross-border payments.

Today’s DeFi is more stable, yes — but if we’re talking true 2.0, there’s still a long road ahead.

Kaden: MEME coins seem unstoppable at times. Do they play a real role in onboarding users to Web3, or are they distracting from serious building?

Kiv: MEME coins offer the lowest barrier to entry and highest potential for quick wealth — making them the most attractive entry point for newcomers.

The problem is, retail traders might ape into 20 MEMEs a day, only to see 18 go to zero and get stuck holding the other 2. Most lose money, get burned, and leave.

So yes, MEMEs can generate massive traffic. But the key is — after these new users arrive, can we get them to stay and actually engage with real Web3 use cases, rather than YOLO in and bounce?

Kaden: AI is the hot new buzzword. What are some actual use cases where AI is meaningfully enhancing blockchain, and where do you think it’s just being used for marketing?

Kiv: Right now, a lot of projects are just using AI as a marketing gimmick — like “AI trading,” “AI MEMEs,” and other flashy labels that are mostly hype.

As someone actively trading in Web3, I see AI’s true value in areas like on-chain data analytics, smart contract security, and AIGC (AI-generated content).

AI combined with blockchain still has great potential — we just need to give it time to evolve.

Kaden: What upcoming Web3 narratives or tech innovations are you personally excited about?

Kiv:

I’m excited about a few trends:

Modular chains — breaking down public chains to increase efficiency

Decentralized AI — keeping AI training and data away from tech monopolies

ZK (Zero-Knowledge proofs) — boosting privacy while ensuring security

But the one I’m most bullish on is RWA (Real World Assets).

Bringing assets like real estate and bonds onto the blockchain gives Web3 real-world grounding. It’s a chance to finally break free of the “purely virtual” label and move toward real-world utility. That’s how we go further.

Kaden: How do macro factors influence what becomes the “next big thing” in crypto?

Kiv: The U.S. — as the global economic leader — has massive influence.

This cycle, Trump has expressed strong support for crypto, which makes many investors more bullish on the space. Meanwhile, ETFs are acting as a gateway that connects Web3 with traditional capital — they’re a clear signal that big money is coming in.

So going forward, macro factors like altcoin ETF approvals, quantitative easing, or a new SEC chair will act as catalysts — they could easily spark the next big narrative.

Kaden: How should projects prepare for the next wave of attention? What’s the best way to capture momentum without losing focus?

Kiv: Projects need to find alignment between their core value and trending narratives.

For example, DeFi projects can explore RWA integrations.

Layer 1 chains can lean into modularity.

But don’t just rewrite your whitepaper to chase AI or ZK hype — you need actual utility.

Don’t wait for the hype to arrive to start planning. It’s okay to ride trends, but your core business must stay intact. No matter how hot the narrative, it’s your product and community that carry you long term.

Kaden: What do you believe is the most underrated trend in Web3 right now that more people should be paying attention to?

Kiv: RWA (Real World Assets) — it’s the most underrated trend in Web3 today. It’s the bridge between crypto and traditional finance, and it will unlock massive new opportunities and capital inflows.

Kaden: The recent incident on HyperLiquid with $JELLYJELLY sparked concerns around risk control and DEX transparency. What are your thoughts on how decentralized platforms should strike a balance between maintaining open markets and enforcing emergency controls when needed?

Kiv: In a single day, both PolyMarket and HyperLiquid — two different DEXs — were hit hard by attacks, causing a huge shift in public sentiment. Suddenly, the market is doubting DEXs.

Here’s the truth: There’s a fundamental conflict between decentralization and security. Whether it’s AMMs or order books, both have limits and vulnerabilities. CEXs, ironically, seem to outperform when it comes to being actual trading platforms.

So the question remains — is full decentralization suitable for high-stakes financial markets? Without centralized intervention, platforms remain fragile in the face of black swan events.

That said, CEXs should also learn from DEXs — by embracing more transparency, stronger risk controls, and hybrid systems that provide both market stability and trust.

About Coinstore

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As a leading global platform for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Coinstore seeks to build an ecosystem that grants everyone access to digital assets and blockchain technology. With over 10 million users worldwide, more than 1,100 listed tokens including 100+ premium digital assets. Coinstore is dedicated to providing secure, professional, and accessible digital asset trading service.

As a pioneer in Launchpad, Coinstore’s Launchpad have shown remarkable performance, with an average ROI of prime exceeding 1,200%. Coinstore, the first choice for the initial launch.

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Coinstore Recap: Beyond the Hype, What’s the Next Big Thing ?

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