
Last year, Messari analysts stated that the “energy around ETH Denver was palpable.” This year, the energy around ETH Denver was lethargic.
Attendance was noticeably smaller, innovation was lacking, and overall morale was down. Much of this can be attributed to a sharp market downturn. Between February 1st and the conclusion of ETH Denver on March 2nd, BTC fell 15.93%, ETH dropped 32.76%, and SOL plummeted 37.97%.

Furthermore, the AI agent craze that marked the November 2024 bull market came crashing down in February, with tokens like Virtuals plunging as much as 86% since the start of 2025. While crypto markets often struggle during the so-called “conference curse,” the severity of this downturn cast a shadow over ETH Denver, dampening the overall mood.

Without a doubt, ETH Denver 2025 lacked the energy and excitement expected for the kickoff of the “Year of the Regenerates.”
Dylan is a Sr. Enterprise Research Analyst focusing on DePIN, DeFi, AI, and RWAs. He previously worked as a digital assets investment analyst at T. Rowe Price and in venture capital. Dylan is a graduate of Princeton University and co-founded the Princeton Blockchain Club.