Cape Town, South Africa – Crypto Fest 2025, Africa’s premier blockchain and digital assets event, is set to convene at Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Now in its seventh edition, the event will bring together a global audience to explore the intersection of technology, culture, and innovation.
The central theme for this year’s event is the institutional adoption of digital assets, stablecoins, blockchain technology, and the evolving regulatory landscape within South Africa and across the African continent.
Key Highlights of Crypto Fest 2025
- •Reshaping Wealth Management: Discussions will cover how intergenerational wealth transfer, shifts in private and public markets, and increasing demand for alternative investments are transforming value creation strategies.
- •Stablecoins and Digital Assets in Finance: The event will feature insights into the seamless integration of stablecoins and digital assets within regulated banking and payment systems to enhance efficiency across the financial value chain.
- •Banks’ Digital Asset Strategies: Leading figures from major South African banks, including Absa, FirstRand, Nedbank, and Standard Bank, along with representatives from Ripple, will share their perspectives on digital asset strategies.
- •Institutional Crypto Adoption: The event will address the challenges and opportunities faced by hedge funds, asset managers, and pension funds as they navigate South Africa’s cryptocurrency landscape.
- •Regulatory Clarity: A detailed examination of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) Conduct of Financial Institutions Act (CARGF) framework, updates to Declaration 3, milestones in Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licensing, and the cross-border implications of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) CARF and enhanced reporting regimes.
- •Strategic Reserves with Bitcoin and Ethereum: The conference will explore how nation-states and corporate treasuries are incorporating Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as inflation-resistant, sovereign-grade assets in response to fiat currency volatility.
- •Crypto Taxation in South Africa: Attendees will gain clarity on the South African Revenue Service (SARS) guidelines, compliance tactics, and tax-efficient structures for both individuals and institutions.
Market Trends and Global Adoption
By mid-2025, institutional digital asset assets under management (AUM) had exceeded $235 billion, a significant increase from $90 billion in 2022. This growth is attributed to clearer regulations, technological advancements, and the role of digital assets as inflation hedges, particularly in emerging economies. Globally, institutions now account for 65% of crypto investments, with the U.S. and Europe being dominant markets. Meanwhile, grassroots adoption in the Asia-Pacific region, led by countries like India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, saw $2.36 trillion in on-chain activity last year, marking a 69% year-over-year increase.
The global cryptocurrency user base has reached 560 million, representing 6.8% of the world's population. This expansion has been driven by Bitcoin ETFs, which attracted $15 billion in inflows during the first half of 2025, and the tokenization of real-world assets, unlocking trillions in previously illiquid markets. Major financial institutions, such as JPMorgan, are now facilitating Bitcoin purchases and crypto-backed loans.
In Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, crypto adoption has surged by 63% and 52% respectively, offering effective hedges against currency devaluation in countries like Argentina and Nigeria.
Key Partnerships and Stablecoin Market Dynamics
A significant development in October 2025 was the partnership between Ripple and Absa Bank, Africa's largest bank by assets ($119.5 billion). This collaboration introduced institutional-grade crypto custody infrastructure, enabling secure storage of cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, underscoring banks' strategic shift towards blockchain technology in response to rising regional demand.
The stablecoin market reached a $251 billion market cap by June 2025, constituting 7.59% of the total crypto market capitalization. USD-pegged stablecoins dominate this sector, making up 99% of the market, with Tether (USDT) leading at $156 billion and USD Coin (USDC) at $60 billion. Issuers are increasingly holding U.S. Treasuries to bolster dollar stability.
A substantial 84% of investors utilize stablecoins for yield generation (73%), foreign exchange settlement (69%), and operational efficiency (71%). Leading fintech companies like Visa and Mastercard are integrating stablecoins into their payment systems and decentralized finance (DeFi) offerings. In Africa, stablecoins facilitate 45% of peer-to-peer trades, particularly in Nigeria.
Regulatory Advancements and Industry Innovation
Regulatory progress is accelerating globally, with 93% of Financial Stability Board (FSB) members updating their crypto frameworks in 2025 and 88% prioritizing stablecoin regulations. The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has issued 53 licenses under a unified regulatory approach. The U.S. GENIUS Act has mandated full reserves for stablecoins, while jurisdictions like Hong Kong and the UAE have introduced licensing regimes. Furthermore, 99 countries have implemented the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Travel Rule, although compliance costs have risen for mid-sized firms.
These regulatory developments are fostering innovation in tokenization and AI-driven compliance solutions, alongside effective risk management strategies within the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem. Major industry players, including PayPal and Stripe, as well as BlackRock, which manages over $100 billion in Bitcoin ETF AUM, are launching comprehensive stablecoin strategies.
USD stablecoins currently represent 99% of the $251 billion stablecoin market, approximately 1% of the U.S. money supply. They serve as a crucial bridge for global transactions, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the tokenization of real-world assets.
Conclusion
Crypto Fest 2025 aims to position Africa at the forefront of the on-chain revolution, fostering transformative insights within a dynamic global context. The event invites industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to contribute to the acceleration of the continent’s digital future from one of the world’s most captivating and culturally rich locations.
Event Information
Tickets
A variety of tickets are available for purchase through the event website: cryptofest.co.za/tickets/
For more information about Bitcoin Events and upcoming events, please visit: bitcoinevents.co.za/
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nazley Swartz
Email: nazley@bitcoinevents.co.za
About Bitcoin Events
For over a decade, Bitcoin Events has been Africa’s leading event organizer focused exclusively on crypto, blockchain, and Web3 technologies. The company has welcomed over 18,500 attendees from 165 countries, facilitating connections with prominent individuals and reputable organizations at the forefront of the blockchain industry. Bitcoin Events remains dedicated to empowering Africa through its world-class events, driving the advancement of the region’s blockchain ecosystem.