In the crypto industry, there are actually several areas where no one has truly started to make serious money yet. Recently, I’ve been thinking about this theme, and including ideas around payments, AI, and infrastructure, I’ve identified five businesses with the potential to exceed a billion dollars. Today, I want to share them.

The first idea is the concept of OneKYC. KYC verification is a tedious process where users upload documents, take selfies, and wait for approval every time they use a new exchange or app, but this aims to streamline it into a one-time process that can be used across multiple platforms. Once a user completes KYC verification with OneKYC, they only need to open the relevant crypto app portal and click through. On the backend, OneKYC transmits verified user identity information to partner platforms in compliance with regulations and simultaneously opens accounts. The revenue model is either referral fees or charges based on the number of verified users. The biggest current challenge for crypto apps is the high cost of acquiring new users and drop-off rates during KYC steps, but this idea solves that all at once. The key is to simplify the process. Minting NFTs or using tokens is actually more cumbersome.

The second is an automated P2P crypto exchange. Platforms like Paxful or Telegram P2P groups already exist, but in practice, they are slow and cumbersome. Fees are 5-10%, and users stay glued to chat windows, manually communicating with counterparts and waiting for seller confirmation. It can take hours, and there's a risk of scams. However, companies like @peerxyz and @P2Pdotme are advancing automation using zero-knowledge technology. The system automatically verifies that payments have been made, eliminating the need for screenshot submissions or repeated exchanges. It completes in 1-2 minutes. Interestingly, this creates a deposit and withdrawal channel that doesn’t require KYC verification. Cash App and PayPal users are already verified there, naturally filtering out scammers. Peer achieved about $20 million in transaction volume in its first year. It wouldn’t be surprising if that grows tenfold this year. But execution is difficult. It requires not only development skills but also strong promotional capabilities to attract both buyers and sellers.

The third idea is issuing cards for AI agents. Although there’s not much movement yet, in a few years, AI will handle payments across all industries. Cards for AI agents are fundamentally different from regular cards. They need to be designed with multiple dedicated restrictions to prevent AI from wasting funds—for example, only allowing purchases at specified stores based on tasks, setting strict budget limits, and enhancing security to prevent leaking card numbers through leading questions. In a few years, tens of thousands of companies will develop AI agents, most of which will need payment modules. If you can provide those modules, you could grow to a scale comparable to Stripe. This idea will likely start slow, then suddenly explode.

The fourth is a trading marketplace for crypto companies. The industry’s trend has shifted over the past year—from meme coins to real businesses. New-generation banks, international remittances, digital wallets, decentralized exchanges—more companies are turning profits. As the community matures, more founders and buyers will want to buy or sell crypto companies. The problem is that these transactions are mostly private. Buyers inquire via DMs one after another, and sellers contact potential buyers one by one. There’s no public, organized marketplace yet. @acquiredotcom has been hugely successful in SaaS, but there’s no similar platform dedicated to crypto companies. A trust-based, verified trading marketplace for crypto firms is needed. It should verify income authenticity, provide on-chain revenue proof, withstand audits, confirm both parties’ KYC, escrow funds for transactions, and adapt to legal requirements. acquiredotcom earned over $7 million in transaction matching in 2025. The revenue model is simple—charging fees from both buyers and sellers. Selling a company for $1 million could generate around $100k in revenue.

The fifth is lending to crypto companies. This is a high barrier, aimed at founders of emerging banks who understand compliance and risk management. Over the past year, crypto banks for retail users have increased. The next natural step is crypto banking for businesses. Players like @slashapp, @altitude, and @meow already offer 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, and loans are even more difficult. Most rely on venture capital. Meanwhile, Shopify e-commerce brands can easily find fintech lenders willing to extend credit based on revenue streams, borrowing for advertising, hiring, or inventory expansion without diluting equity. But no one in crypto is doing this yet. This is the direction in which emerging crypto banks can evolve. Beyond card issuance, they can include KYC and process-based risk assessments to offer loans. Currently, many lenders charge 15% annual interest, and if you lend at 25-30%, you can earn a spread. Of course, strict risk management and complex risk evaluation are necessary. But the industry has finally matured—profitable, stable crypto companies are now a reality.

Finally, a word of caution. The ideas themselves have no value; what matters is how you implement them. Many people have good ideas, but real difference comes from execution. If someone takes on any of these ideas, it could significantly change the industry.