EMCD CEO on crypto’s future

Crypto isn’t just about trading; it’s about financial freedom. EMCD CEO Michael Jerlis shares insights on passive income, DeFi, and the future of wealth-building in 2025.

Talking to Michael Jerlis, EMCD CEO, about crypto trends, smarter income, and the future of DeFi.

Michael, you’re the CEO and founder of an expanding crypto ecosystem. How do you see the crypto market shaping up in 2025?

Michael Jerlis: Crypto is no longer a playground for speculators — it’s an economic revolution. The days of short-term hype cycles and meme coin FOMO are fading fast. What we’re witnessing now is a fundamental shift from speculation to structured wealth-building. Institutions are moving in, ETFs are absorbing billions, and Bitcoin? It’s not just another asset anymore — it’s digital property with a seat at the global financial table.

Retail investors need to snap out of the old mindset. The real money isn’t in chasing fleeting pumps — it’s in owning the infrastructure, compounding assets, and creating passive income streams. Those who grasp this early? They’re the ones who will come out ahead.

Speaking of passive income, you’ve been vocal about your takes on financial independence. Why is passive income king in your view?

Michael Jerlis: Here’s the truth — cash is dead weight. Letting your money sit idle while inflation erodes it? That’s financial stagnation. It’s like standing in a gym and expecting to get fit without lifting a single weight. Wealth isn’t just about how much you hold — it’s about how much your money works for you.

Passive income is the great separator. When your assets generate returns around the clock, you stop merely surviving and start thriving. That’s exactly why we built Coinhold — to give people a way to grow their wealth without the stress of market volatility. Up to 14% APY, no guesswork, no chasing charts. Just a smarter, structured approach to wealth-building.

Many people are still skeptical about crypto as a mainstream financial tool. What do you say to them?

Michael Jerlis: Crypto mass adoption isn’t coming — it’s already here. Bitcoin ETFs, stablecoin payrolls, crypto-backed loans — this isn’t theory, it’s happening right now. The mistake people make is expecting some grand announcement, as if one day the world will declare, ‘Crypto is now fully accepted.’ But adoption doesn’t work like that.

It sneaks in, piece by piece. More businesses are integrating stablecoins for everyday payments, governments are actively exploring CBDCs, and more people are realizing they can own their wealth outright instead of renting it from a bank. Those who see where this is headed and adapt? They’ll be the ones who own the financial future.

What’s next for EMCD? How are you pushing innovation?

Michael Jerlis: Our goal is crystal clear — make earning crypto as effortless as spending it. Mining, saving, exchanging — it should all be part of one seamless, interconnected ecosystem. Coinhold was only the beginning. Now, we’re developing even smarter financial tools for miners, traders, and long-term holders alike.

One of the things I’m particularly proud of is automated earnings reinvestment. Picture this: your Bitcoin mining rewards don’t just sit idle. Instead, they automatically roll into a high-yield savings account, compounding with zero effort. No manual transfers, no lost time — just nonstop wealth creation. That’s the future we’re building.

Beyond that, we’re moving into tokenizing real-world assets. Right now, traditional investments like real estate, fine art, and commodities are limited to high-net-worth individuals. We’re developing solutions that break those barriers, allowing more people to invest in fractionalized, blockchain-backed real-world assets. This isn’t just about diversifying portfolios — it’s about making generational wealth-building accessible to a wider range of investors. The future of finance is inclusive, and we intend to lead the charge.

Last question — what’s your advice for crypto investors in 2025?

Michael Jerlis: Stop thinking like a trader, start thinking like a bank. Stack. Compound. Own your assets. The ones who thrive in this market aren’t the ones sweating over minute-by-minute price swings — they’re the ones who build systems that pay them indefinitely.

Crypto isn’t just about making money — it’s about escaping a broken financial system. The legacy world wants you to work for money. The new world puts your money to work for you. The sooner you internalize that, the sooner you start winning.