Retail investors haven’t abandoned crypto — they’ve simply changed course. That’s according to Vugar Usi Zade, Chief Operating Officer at Bitget, who shared insights at the 2025 Consensus conference in Toronto.
📉 From FOMO to Functionality
Usi Zade explained that the traditional fear-of-missing-out behavior has faded. Retail traders are no longer chasing pumps but are instead seeking sustainable, utility-driven use cases.
“People are becoming smarter with their investments,” he noted, pointing to macroeconomic instability and reduced disposable income as reasons for the shift. PTSD from the last crypto cycle and pressure from 2025’s economic policy under the Trump administration have left investors more risk-averse.
🪙 Bitget Responds With Utility
Bitget is adapting. The exchange is pushing beyond trading by expanding into crypto payments and stablecoin services, such as Bitget Pay, reflecting this pivot toward everyday functionality.
“Exchanges are tapping into payment processing markets,” Usi Zade said, highlighting how crypto is moving into retail-friendly territory and changing spending habits.
📊 DEXs Gain Traction, Bull Runs Fade
Another major trend is the rise of decentralized exchanges (DEXs), now covering nearly 10% of the crypto derivatives market. Retail investors are increasingly using DEXs for early access to new tokens and crosschain opportunities.
“The bull and bear markets we knew are gone,” said Usi Zade. Instead, the market is entering shorter episodes of bullish or bearish activity, making the old cycle dynamics obsolete.
📈 Bitcoin in “Free Flow”
Bitcoin remains the market’s dominant force, trading in what Usi Zade described as its own “free flow.” While ETFs have brought more institutional money into BTC, macroeconomic events and political dynamics — including tweets from President Trump — are exerting greater influence over its price.
Conclusion
Retail crypto behavior is evolving. Gone are the days of reckless speculation. Today’s investors want real-world use, lower risk, and smarter tools. Exchanges like Bitget are adapting by transforming into bank-like organizations focused on compliance, utility, and cross-platform innovation.
As Usi Zade summed up:
“People still want to do big things, but not necessarily within the formal arena.”
