Top 3 Internet Capital Markets Trends To Watch in 2025

Introduction

The landscape of capital fundraising is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the emergence of Internet Capital Markets (ICM). This novel paradigm promises to democratize finance, radically lowering the barriers to entry for both project creators and investors. By leveraging blockchain technology and the power of online communities, ICM has enabled a new era of permissionless capital, where innovative ideas can secure funding without navigating the traditional, often cumbersome, gatekeepers of finance. However, as with any rapidly evolving sector, the sustainability and long-term impact of ICM remain a subject of intense debate. In this article, we will explore the top three trends shaping the Internet Capital Markets in 2025 and consider whether this sector possesses the staying power to become a cornerstone of future fundraising, or if it's merely a fleeting speculative phenomenon.

Key Takeaways

• ICM has dramatically simplified fundraising, enabling widespread access to launch and fund tokenized projects.

• AI, social media, and tokenized fundraising are the key trends propelling the ICM landscape forward.

• A sharp decline in new token launches, post-explosive growth, raises serious questions about ICM's sustainability.

• ICM's enduring success will depend on its ability to foster genuinely valuable projects, not just speculative ventures.

Top 3 Internet Capital Markets Trends in 2025

Many of the most influential trends within the Internet Capital Markets sector are not entirely new, but have found a fertile ground for exponential growth here. These include the burgeoning practice of tokenized fundraising, the ubiquitous presence of artificial intelligence, and the pervasive influence of social media. Let's delve into each of these trends and understand their integral role in the current Internet Capital Markets landscape.

Tokenized Fundraising: Shifting from Permissioned to Permissionless Capital

Tokenized fundraising represents a fundamental paradigm shift from permissioned to permissionless capital. In this new environment, liquidity is increasingly driven by compelling narratives and community engagement, rather than solely by traditional financial fundamentals. Conventional capital markets have historically been characterized by stringent gatekeeping mechanisms, limiting access to investment opportunities to a select, privileged few.

When a project or business seeks funding in traditional finance, it typically undergoes a rigorous and exhaustive process involving strict auditing standards, complex legal agreements, regulatory registrations, and numerous other actions designed to ensure investor safety. While these measures offer a degree of protection, they can also significantly restrict opportunities for nascent or unconventional ventures.

In contrast, Internet Capital Markets drastically lowers the barrier to entry. Unlike traditional Web3-native funding mechanisms that often demand detailed roadmaps, early-stage funding, and formally structured teams, ICM empowers virtually anyone to launch a tokenized idea. This could range from a meme coin to a personal brand, or even a purely speculative experiment. A prominent example of tokenized fundraising within Internet Capital Markets is Launch Coin on Believe (LAUNCHCOIN).

LAUNCHCOIN serves as the native token for the Believe app, a dedicated token launchpad for ICM projects. Originally conceived as Clout.me by Ben Pasternak, the platform was later rebranded to Believe.app. Today, LAUNCHCOIN plays a crucial role in facilitating the launch of new tokens, sharing trading fees, and supporting the overall operations of the Believe platform.

Artificial Intelligence: Powering Ambitious Ventures

Artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniably one of the dominant technological narratives of 2025, a trend set to persist for years and even decades to come. Once primarily confined to powering customer service chatbots and troubleshooting agents, AI has evolved to encompass sophisticated models capable of generating art, powering AI-native tokens, and even deploying smart contracts autonomously.

The fusion of Internet Capital Markets and AI creates a more ambitious and dynamic environment for the development and funding of artificial intelligence initiatives. This synergy allows for rapid capital allocation to AI projects, accelerating innovation. Several projects leveraging ICM funding for AI development include:

• Yapper (YAPPER): An AI-powered tool specifically designed to assist content creators in optimizing their content and maximizing engagement, particularly for those active on X (formerly Twitter).

• Creator Buddy (Buddy): A deepfake AI platform that empowers users to create high-quality, lip-synced videos by seamlessly overlaying AI-generated voices and faces onto existing video content.

• Kingnet AI (KNET): A collaborative Web3 game creation platform that harnesses artificial intelligence. It features a no-code, visual AI engine, making it easy for users, even those without technical backgrounds, to build blockchain games.

Social Media: From Engagement to Market Cap

With an estimated 8.2 billion people worldwide and over half of them active on social media platforms, social media has become an intrinsic part of daily life, both personal and professional, in 2025. However, increasing concerns about data privacy, censorship, and general user discontent are driving many to seek alternatives to mainstream platforms.

Internet Capital Markets offer a compelling solution by enabling creator economies to directly translate engagement into market capitalization. Projects can bootstrap their platforms directly from their consumer base through crowdfunding, bypassing lengthy and often exclusive traditional IPO processes. Some of the most popular ICM projects capitalizing on the power of social media include Vine and JellyJelly.

In 2025, Rus Yusupov launched Vine (VINE) on the Solana blockchain, drawing inspiration from the immensely popular, albeit defunct, short-form video platform. This launch strategically coincided with renewed public interest in Vine, sparked by Elon Musk's public comments on X about a possible revival of the original platform.

JellyJelly, on the other hand, operates as both a social video chat application and a meme coin. It is designed to simplify the creation, editing, and sharing of viral video content directly from video chats. Users are incentivized to post on the app by earning and receiving tips in the form of Jelly-My-Jelly (JELLYJELLY) tokens, fostering a vibrant and direct creator-to-audience economy.

Is ICM a Passing Trend?

Internet Capital Markets have experienced an incredibly rapid ascent since their emergence, characterized by explosive initial growth. However, this swift expansion has naturally led many to question its long-term viability and sustainability.

Recent data indicates a significant decline in activity within the ICM sector. Token creations peaked dramatically on May 13th, reaching an impressive 4,977 launches in a single day. However, this figure sharply dropped by May 20th, signaling an almost 80% decrease in less than a month, according to analytics from Dune. Further reports from CoinGecko also indicate a significant percentage of "dead coins" launched in 2024 and 2025, with many failing to achieve utility, liquidity, or community engagement. This raises concerns about the prevalence of speculative, short-lived projects.

The enduring success of the Internet Capital Markets sector will largely depend on its ability to evolve beyond merely facilitating speculative token launches. For long-term sustainability, ICM must foster and promote the creation of projects backed by actual products, services, and genuine value propositions. A shift towards more rigorous vetting, coupled with an emphasis on tangible utility, could significantly extend the lifecycle and legitimacy of Internet Capital Markets.

Fast Facts

• Internet Capital Markets (ICM) are revolutionizing traditional fundraising by significantly lowering entry barriers for launching and funding tokenized projects.

• The most impactful trends within ICM are driven by AI integration, social media engagement, and the innovative approach of tokenized fundraising.

• ICM facilitates permissionless capital, allowing a broader range of individuals and ideas to access investment, unlike traditional finance which is often gatekept.

• Despite explosive initial growth, recent data indicates a notable decline in new token launches, raising critical questions about the long-term viability of the ICM model.

• The enduring success of ICM hinges on its capacity to transcend speculative hype and foster the development of projects that deliver tangible, value-driven outcomes.

Conclusion

The Internet Capital Markets represent a powerful force democratizing access to capital for both founders and investors. The key trends—tokenized fundraising, artificial intelligence integration, and the leveraging of social media—have undeniably opened up new avenues for innovation and investment. While ICM has introduced revolutionary methods for accessing capital and fostering community-driven initiatives, its future remains at a critical juncture. The recent sharp decline in new token launches highlights the urgent need for the sector to mature beyond purely speculative endeavors.

For Internet Capital Markets to truly establish itself as a lasting innovation rather than a passing trend, it must consistently deliver tangible value, support robust projects with real-world utility, and foster a more sustainable ecosystem. The path ahead requires a collective commitment to building value-driven projects that transcend short-term hype, ultimately securing ICM's place as a significant component of the global financial landscape. For more related articles, visit our Blog.

FAQ

How do ICMs differ from traditional capital markets?

Traditional capital markets involve rigorous, often lengthy, processes with strict regulations, gatekeepers (like banks and venture capitalists), and high barriers to entry. ICMs, in contrast, offer a more permissionless and accessible environment, enabling broader participation and faster fundraising through tokenization and community-driven liquidity, though often with less regulatory oversight.

What does "tokenized fundraising" mean in the context of ICM?

Tokenized fundraising involves issuing digital tokens (cryptocurrencies or other blockchain-based assets) to raise capital for a project, idea, or even a personal brand. These tokens can represent various things, from ownership stakes to utility within a platform, and are traded on specialized ICM platforms.

Why is AI considered a major trend in ICM for 2025?

AI is a major trend because its integration with ICM allows for more ambitious and efficient development of AI projects. Internet Capital Markets provides a new avenue for AI ventures to secure funding rapidly, while AI can also enhance ICM platforms through features like smart contract deployment, data analysis, and content optimization tools.

What are the main concerns regarding the sustainability of ICM?

Despite rapid initial growth, concerns about ICM's sustainability stem from a recent sharp decline in new token launches and the prevalence of speculative, short-lived projects (often referred to as "dead coins"). The long-term viability of ICM is questioned if it cannot evolve beyond hype and consistently deliver projects with real products, services, and tangible value.

Will ICM replace traditional fundraising methods?

It's unlikely that ICM will entirely replace traditional fundraising methods in the short term. Instead, it's more probable that Internet Capital Markets will serve as a complementary alternative, particularly for projects that might not fit traditional financing models or that seek a more direct, community-driven approach to capital raising. Over time, as regulations evolve and the sector matures, there may be increased integration and hybrid models.