The cryptocurrency industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and 2025 has proven to be a pivotal year. With the rapid growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) and institutional interest, traditional centralized exchanges (CEXs) are adapting to meet the new demands of the market. Among the leaders in this transformation is Gate.com, spearheaded by its CEO, Dr. Han, who recently shared insights on perpetual trading, CeDeFi, and the cryptocurrency industry’s shift towards 2026.
Adapting to Changing Market Structures
In recent years, the cryptocurrency sector has undergone multiple bull cycles, each propelled by different innovators and participants. According to Dr. Han, 2021’s retail-driven bull run was fueled by social media hype and speculative interest in newly listed tokens and NFTs. However, 2025 tells a completely different story— institutional players, such as asset managers and banks, have entered the arena, with crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and stablecoin technology leading the charge.
Gate has made significant strides to align with these trends. The platform has expanded its tools and infrastructure to support institutional traders who require features like low latency, high-speed API connectivity, and comprehensive trading solutions like high-frequency trading. Dr. Han explained, “Professional traders and institutions need more advanced tools, and that is where our investment in systems like API trading and CrossEx has aimed to solve pain points.”
Innovation with CrossEx and Layer 2 Solutions
October 2025 saw the introduction of CrossEx, Gate’s cutting-edge cross-exchange trading and clearing platform. Built for professional traders and quantitative teams, CrossEx streamlines execution by unifying trading across multiple venues under a single system. This ensures better capital efficiency and eliminates the cumbersome process of manually managing collateral on different platforms.
To keep pace with the decentralized finance revolution, Gate also launched its Optimism-based Gate Layer 2 network. Fully EVM-compatible, this network incorporates decentralized features into their centralized ecosystem. It supports tools like Gate Perp DEX for perpetual trading and Gate Fun, a zero-code platform for token launches. This dual CEX-DEX model ensures users can interact with decentralized protocols without sacrificing speed, security, or affordability.
This aligns perfectly with DeFi’s core appeal. “Many users interested in early-stage opportunities flock to decentralized platforms,” said Dr. Han. By bridging the advantages of both models, Gate captures a diverse audience.
Security and Transparency: Essential Components
The cryptocurrency industry faced increased scrutiny after the collapse of major exchanges like FTX in 2022. As a result, security and transparency have become non-negotiable attributes of any exchange. Gate implemented proof-of-reserves technology as early as 2020, combining Merkle tree verification with zero-knowledge proofs, ensuring users can independently verify their assets’ security.
Gate took this a step further in 2025 with the introduction of vault accounts. Designed for long-term asset storage, these accounts leverage multi-party computation (MPC) technology, allowing users full control over their funds. Withdrawal safeguards, such as time delays and explicit user authorization, prevent unauthorized transactions, reinforcing the platform’s trustworthiness.
Meme Tokens and Perpetual Trading Drive Engagement
Despite the institutional shift, retail activity remains a critical driver of cryptocurrency narratives. Dr. Han highlighted the continued popularity of meme coins. Tokens like the Trump meme coin garnered significant trading volume in the decentralized space, illustrating the emotional and speculative aspects of cryptocurrency trading.
Additionally, perpetual trading became a key focus for professional traders in 2025. The ability to use leverage and a wider set of trading tools has enhanced capital efficiency, attracting more participants to this trading method. Platforms like Gate.io make perpetual trading accessible through both centralized and decentralized options.
Looking Ahead: Simplifying the Crypto Experience
As Gate looks towards 2026, its mission is to simplify the cryptocurrency trading experience. “The biggest challenge is friction,” Dr. Han said. Increasingly complex interfaces for both centralized and decentralized trading can discourage users. Gate aims to address this by exploring artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions where users can execute actions seamlessly.
By using AI, Gate envisions a future where users can request tasks—such as buying one Bitcoin—without worrying about navigating specific tools. “AI can find the best price, execute trades, and handle processes efficiently for users who simply express their goals,” Dr. Han stated. Simplification will likely be the driving force for innovation in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
Gate’s success in 2025 is a testament to its adaptability and commitment to user-focused innovation. By integrating institutional-grade infrastructure, enhancing decentralized options, and maintaining transparency and security at its core, Gate has established itself as a leader in the cryptocurrency space. As we move into 2026, their focus on eliminating friction and leveraging AI promises an even more inclusive and efficient crypto-trading ecosystem.
If you’re looking to explore the world of cryptocurrency trading or learn more about innovations like perpetual trading and DEX integration, check out Gate.io—a platform bridging both traditional and decentralized markets.
