Analysts remain bullish on crypto's growth trajectory despite 2023's challenges, with Bitfinex projecting up to 950 million blockchain wallet users in 2024 should favorable conditions persist.

As of December 2023, an estimated 575 million people owned cryptocurrencies globally — up from 432 million at the start of the year per Bitfinex data. The report notes investment activity continues expanding in tandem with broader adoption.

Bitfinex bases its optimistic 2024 outlook on sustained interest and acceptance of digital assets around the world. The firm says a long-awaited Bitcoin ETF approval could turbocharge growth beyond base forecasts as well.

Grayscale CEO Michael Sonnenshein echoed this sentiment in a recent CNBC interview, noting a spot BTC fund could unlock the enormous US advised investor market representing over $30 trillion in assets.

Independent researcher Statista offers similarly bullish projections, predicting crypto users will steadily climb to 833 million by 2024 before nearing 1 billion by 2028.