The crypto world is buzzing with excitement after some big thoughts dropped at Cannes 2025. One standout take came from Santisa (@Tiza4ThePeople) on X, where they shared a bold prediction: the crypto industry as we know it might not exist in 10-15 years. Instead, it’ll blend seamlessly into the broader financial world. Imagine a future where "working in crypto" isn’t a thing—you’d just be working in finance. Let’s break this down and see what it means for the future.

Why Crypto Might Disappear as a Separate Industry

Santisa’s take is that crypto’s real value lies in improving the backbone of finance—think faster, more transparent settlements. Blockchain, the tech behind crypto, could become the invisible engine powering your favorite finance app or even a game. Users won’t care or even know it’s there, much like how no one thinks about VOIP (that’s Voice over Internet Protocol, the tech behind internet calls) when they use Zoom or Skype. This integration could make crypto a hidden hero, enhancing the experience for billions without them noticing.

The idea isn’t far-fetched. According to a recent article on finextra.com, 2024 was a turning point for crypto, with trends pointing toward deeper integration with traditional finance in 2025. Blockchain’s ability to streamline clearing and settlement processes—cutting out the middleman—could be a game-changer, as highlighted in a ScienceDirect study on blockchain applications in financial services.

A Small Team of Nerds Will Keep the Lights On

While the average person might not know (or care) about blockchain, a small crew of quants (quantitative analysts), developers, and cypherpunks (crypto enthusiasts who value privacy) will keep the tech humming. These folks will work in the trenches, ensuring the systems run smoothly. It’s a niche role, but a crucial one. Santisa compares it to how VOIP tech is managed today—out of sight, out of mind for most.

The Beautiful Outcome for the World

This shift might sound a bit corporate or even cynical at first, but Santisa sees it as a win. By embedding crypto into traditional finance, we could improve how money moves globally, making it faster and more transparent. Billions of people might enjoy slightly better financial experiences—whether it’s quicker payments or safer transactions—without ever knowing the tech behind it. That’s a quiet, powerful impact.

What About DAOs and Other Crypto Innovations?

The thread sparked some interesting replies. Some, like @jeffthedunker, wondered if niche events like a "brokerage settlement layer conference" might emerge—think of it as a geeky finance meetup. Others, including Santisa, touched on DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), which are like community-run companies powered by blockchain. They’re efficient and cool, but Santisa and @0xSwish suggest they might not outlast traditional corporations long-term. History shows centralized systems (like Spotify over P2P file sharing) often win out for ease of use.

Still, there’s hope. Santisa mentions Aave, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, as a blueprint for how tokens could coordinate activity and potentially outcompete traditional models. The World Economic Forum even suggests DAOs could shape digital value creation, though legal and tax hurdles remain.

How Soon Could This Happen?

Opinions vary on the timeline. Santisa leans toward 10-15 years, citing the slow pace of traditional finance ("tradfi"). But @Route2FI and @Tiza4ThePeople counter that it might happen in 5 years, driven by rapid adoption. With projects like Chainlink’s CCIP (Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol) gaining traction—mentioned in a reply by @nullpackets—it’s clear the tech is evolving fast.

What This Means for Meme Tokens and Blockchain Practitioners

At Meme Insider, we’re all about keeping you in the loop on meme tokens and blockchain trends. While meme coins like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu might not directly tie into this finance merger, the underlying blockchain tech could boost their ecosystems. For practitioners, this is a call to level up—learn about settlement layers, smart contracts, and DeFi to stay ahead. Our knowledge base is packed with resources to help you dive deeper.

Final Thoughts

The future Santisa paints is one where crypto loses its standalone identity but wins big by improving the world’s financial systems. It’s a shift from flashy headlines to quiet efficiency—a beautiful, if understated, evolution. What do you think? Will crypto vanish into finance, or will it carve out its own niche? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going!