The 2025 Crypto M&A Boom: $37 billion in transactions hit a record high, traditional financial institutions optimistic about the payments sector

【Crypto World】The wave of mergers and acquisitions in the crypto industry in 2025 is unexpectedly surging. According to data from Architect Partners, the disclosed M&A transaction volume skyrocketed to $37 billion—more than seven times the amount in 2024, far exceeding the industry’s previous expectation of $30 billion. This set a new record in the history of the crypto industry.

In terms of transaction volume, a total of 356 M&A deals were completed last year, a 74% increase year-over-year. Notably, there were 39 deals with transaction amounts exceeding $100 million, and 17 deals exceeding $500 million. This indicates a significant increase in large-scale transactions and a continuous rise in market activity.

Why is there such a booming scene? Karl-Martin Ahrend, co-founder of Areta, pointed out that the pace of M&A transactions mainly depends on several factors—whether regulatory policies can be clarified, the direction of interest rates, market risk appetite, and whether the project’s valuation is attractive.

Interestingly, traditional financial institutions’ M&A interests are concentrated in two areas: stablecoins and payment tracks. This shows that traditional finance is optimistic about the potential of the crypto industry in payment settlement.

Looking ahead to 2026, M&A activity is expected to remain hot. The industry direction may undergo some changes—from rapid expansion to building more resilient companies, with an increase in “bridge-type” mergers (transactions connecting traditional finance and the crypto world), and more cautious deal terms with higher risk management requirements. But don’t forget, regulatory risks always exist. If the US regulatory stance can provide clear signals in early 2026, it could become a barometer for the entire year’s M&A activity.