2021 was a defining year for cryptocurrencies. From broad mainstream acceptance (everyone from grandmothers to Wall Street is clamoring to get in) to the explosive popularity of a slew of new digital tokens and NFTS, it's been a busy year for cryptocurrency market.

But it's not all fun and games. 2021 also saw historic volatility in an already volatile market. By far the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, bitcoin started the year with a rally that took it to a record high before it lost nearly 50% of its value in a series of panic selling. Bitcoin regained some momentum over the summer and by November had climbed back to near record highs before taking a downward turn later in December.

1. Web3 will decentralize the Internet

Blockchain marketing is coming for the Internet. Web3 is the next evolution in Internet technology, promising to give people back control of their personal data through a decentralized application system based on blockchain. Rather than big companies monetizing the web by using personal information for advertising campaigns, Web3 users will be rewarded with crypto tokens for their attention.

2. Financial services will adopt blockchain

DeFi (decentralized finance) applications, built on blockchain infrastructure, were originally introduced as a means to process financial transactions without third-party intermediaries, thereby providing faster, cheaper and more secure services. 2021 saw the take-off of DeFi apps, or dApps, as the total value locked into DeFi protocols soared from $20 billion last year to more than $250 billion today. This cryptocurrency trend is expected to accelerate in 2022 as more financial service providers begin to shift to blockchain platforms.

3. Tokenization of NFTS and real-world assets

What would 2021 look like without NFTS? These mysterious collectibles are big news, with art collectibles like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club fetching eye-popping prices. More NFTS are starting to emerge with innovative features that allow users to enhance their artwork and connect with the larger community. In early December, Merge sold more than 312,000 units, which together form an overall artwork, to 28,983 buyers. What is the total price for 48 hours of sales? Ninety-one million dollars. There is also the potential to add tokenization of real-world assets such as real estate or cars, adding a whole new dimension to NFTS. The trend for NFT cryptocurrencies is likely to continue in 2022 as the secondary market booms and demand surges.

4. Expand the scope of the cryptocurrency game by playing for money

Gaming for a living is no stranger to 2021; However, blockchain-based games have exploded. Games like Axie Infinity (AXS) and Sandbox (SAND) have revolutionized the concept of making money in games, allowing players to earn in-game tokens and rewards that can be exchanged for cash on cryptocurrency exchanges. Combined with improved graphics, better gameplay, more NFT game options, and a growing number of players, the trend of play-earned cryptocurrency games is expected to intensify in 2022.

5. Metaverse growth

In late 2021, the metaverse emerged, a cryptocurrency trend that could really take off in 2022. Meta (formerly Facebook) is building a 3D social universe, while Microsoft is developing Mesh, a collaborative virtual workplace. Popular games like Fortnite and Roblox have evolved into virtual worlds. The metaverse will be an extension of this concept, offering new ways for people and businesses to monetize their experiences.

With the rapid development of blockchain technology, there may be some exciting new things in ten years. However, in the long run, it is feasible that blockchain will evolve significantly thanks to the work of various developer groups. We've already seen some people refer to them as the future of blockchain technology. The future may offer consumers better choices than we think. Time will tell.