Celo Celebrates Five Years: A Vision for a Trillion-Dollar Onchain Economy by 2030

The Celo Foundation recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Celo mainnet, highlighting its transformation from a mobile-first, carbon-negative EVM-compatible Layer 1 (L1) blockchain to a Layer 2 (L2) solution on Ethereum. This shift aims to bolster its mission of fostering global prosperity through blockchain technology, according to the Celo Foundation.

Significant Developments in 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, Celo witnessed significant ecosystem advancements, such as the successful migration to L2, which attracted attention across the blockchain industry. Key developments included the launch of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms Aave and Velodrome on Celo, which catalyzed a surge in DeFi activity. Additionally, the introduction of Self, a zk identity protocol developed in partnership with the former OpenPassport team, marked another pivotal milestone.

Vision 2030: An Ambitious Roadmap

The Celo Foundation envisions a transformative path leading to 2030, aiming to establish a trillion-dollar onchain economy. The strategy involves promoting stablecoins and onchain foreign exchange (FX) markets, with expectations to launch over 100 local currency stablecoins globally. Celo also aims to become a leader in identity verification with its Self protocol, aspiring to set a global standard for proof-of-human and onchain identity.

Moreover, the foundation anticipates a significant rise in daily transactions, which are crucial for Celo's long-term sustainability. The recent transition to L2 enabled a major update in Celo's tokenomics, including the Great Celo Halvening, which reduced inflation and positioned Celo for sustainable growth.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Celo's long-term strategy aligns with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The foundation seeks to leverage blockchain technology to foster a fairer and more equitable financial system. This includes supporting regenerative economic concepts and addressing global challenges such as climate change and poverty through innovative blockchain solutions.

A Collaborative Future

Looking forward, Celo plans to collaborate with companies transitioning to onchain operations, as exemplified by its partnership with Opera. This collaboration aims to introduce stablecoins for various use cases, including merchant payments and subscription services, showcasing the potential of a diverse, open onchain economy.

As Celo embarks on its “winning era,” the foundation remains committed to building a decentralized, resilient ecosystem that prioritizes long-term growth and community empowerment. The vision for a trillion-dollar economy by 2030 underscores Celo's ambition to harness blockchain technology for global impact, fostering economic activity on a scale comparable to some of the world's largest economies.