I've been thinking about what kind of businesses can truly make money in the cryptocurrency industry, and recently a few ideas have become clearer. Payment-related solutions, AI agents, infrastructure-level topics, and so on. Actually, there are still quite a few opportunities that no one has seriously tackled yet.

First, the idea of OneKYC comes to mind. KYC verification is probably the most cumbersome process in the crypto industry, right? Upload documents every time you register on a new exchange, take a selfie, wait for approval. The idea is to streamline this into a one-time process that grants access to multiple apps. For users, it would be like an app store—log in, see the compatible apps, and click to access. On the backend, user KYC info would be sent to partner platforms in compliance with regulations, and accounts would be opened simultaneously. Revenue could come from referral fees or fees based on the number of verified users. Currently, the biggest pain points for crypto apps are high user acquisition costs and drop-offs at the KYC step, but this idea could solve those issues all at once.

Next, an automated P2P exchange. Platforms like Paxful are known, but in reality, they’re slow and cumbersome. Fees are often 5–10%, and you have to chat back and forth, waiting for verification. It can take hours, and there's a risk of scams. However, companies like @peerxyz and @P2Pdotme are automating this with zero-knowledge tech. For example, when buying crypto and paying via Cash App, the seller’s assets are held in escrow on the platform, and once payment is confirmed, automatic verification occurs. No need for screenshots or repeated exchanges. It can be done in 1–2 minutes. What's interesting is that this creates a deposit/withdrawal channel that doesn’t require KYC. If users are already verified on Cash App or PayPal, fraudsters who want to link fake real-name accounts can avoid this. Also, with existing trusted platforms like Zelle, integration can expand access. Peer achieved about $20 million in transaction volume in its first year. If executed properly, this could easily grow into a billion-dollar company.

Issuing cards for AI agents is a completely different approach. Although there’s not much movement yet, in a few years, AI will handle payments across all industries. Unlike traditional card issuance, AI will need many specialized restrictions to ensure funds are used appropriately—such as only allowing purchases at designated stores for specific tasks, setting strict budget limits, and enhancing security measures. In the future, tens of thousands of companies will develop AI agents, most of which will need payment modules. Becoming a payment provider in this space could grow to the scale of Stripe. It’s a slow start, but then suddenly explodes. Preparing now means being ready when the wind shifts.

The trading market for crypto companies is also interesting. Over the past year, industry sentiment has shifted. It’s no longer just meme coins; new-generation banks, international remittance firms, and profitable companies are increasing. More people want to buy these companies, and some founders are looking to sell. But the buy/sell messages are mostly private—buyers inquire via DM, and founders respond individually. There’s no public marketplace for crypto-native company sales. So, this idea is to create a trading platform where founders can list their companies, and investors can browse and purchase. @acquiredotcom has been hugely successful in SaaS, but there’s no dedicated platform for crypto companies yet. As the industry grows and more founders want to sell, investors will want a systematic way to find good deals. A trust-based, verified marketplace is essential—confirming income authenticity, on-chain revenue proof, audit-ready financial data, KYC for both parties, escrow for transaction funds. Legal compliance is also critical—cross-border transfers, stock files, regulatory adherence in various countries, smooth transfer processes. It’s complex, but these are already implemented in traditional M&A markets. Acquired made over $7 million in transaction matching revenue in 2025. The revenue model is simple: fees from both buyers and sellers—about $490 annual membership plus 3–6% of transaction price for buyers, and success fees of 5–8% plus $50–$150 monthly listing fees for sellers. Selling a company for $1 million could net around $100k. As the industry matures, someone will definitely implement this model.

Finally, lending to crypto companies. This is a high barrier, requiring founders who understand compliance and risk management—targeting emerging banks. Over the past year, crypto-native banks for retail users have emerged—clean apps, debit cards, stablecoin accounts. The next step is crypto business banking. Players like @slashapp, @altitude, and @meow are offering corporate accounts and basic banking services. But the real opportunity isn’t just account opening—it’s lending. Crypto companies have long struggled to get traditional bank loans. Even now, many founders find it hard to open corporate accounts. Most crypto firms have to seek VC funding. Conversely, many fintechs want to lend based on revenue streams—like Shopify’s brand—offering loans for ad spend, hiring, inventory without diluting equity. But no one has done this in crypto yet. This is the direction emerging banks can evolve into—beyond card issuance, assessing risk for loans to crypto-native companies. Currently, many lenders charge around 15% APR, but charging 25–30% could generate profit. It involves tough risk management and complex evaluation, but the industry has finally matured—profitable, stable crypto companies exist. Within the next year, fintech lenders are likely to start providing capital to the crypto industry.

One last word: ideas alone have no value. Many people have good ideas, but what truly matters is how you execute. Whether these ideas turn into billion-dollar opportunities depends entirely on your ability to implement.