Top 5 Market Trends Disrupting Business in 2025

1. Cannabis Market Growth & Legalization Trends

According to a recent study of the data, the global cannabis market was valued at around USD 42 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 52 billion in 2025, with a projected CAGR of ~24% through 2033. That kind of growth shows just how mainstream the cannabis industry has become and how quickly it's shedding its former stigma.

Today, cannabis is no longer a niche product or underground movement. It’s a fast-maturing industry with established players, major brand partnerships, and a growing footprint in retail and wholesale distribution. With recreational use fully legalized across Canada and increasingly decriminalized or regulated in parts of the U.S., cannabis is carving out space alongside giants like alcohol and tobacco.

What’s fueling this rise? Advances in cultivation, genetic engineering, and IP development have transformed cannabis into a more controlled, scalable, and commercially viable product. From boutique strains to pharma-grade derivatives, the industry is now catering to both wellness consumers and recreational users while also exploring global export potential.

Still, there are hurdles. Despite growing social acceptance, cannabis remains federally restricted in the U.S., limiting access to traditional banking, complicating logistics, and creating legal grey zones between state and federal law. Public policy and compliance frameworks continue to evolve, and until the U.S. offers full legalization or a cohesive national policy, growth will remain somewhat fragmented.

That said, the cannabis sector is one of the most dynamic and closely watched industries in today’s marketplace and it’s only getting hotter.

2. CBD Market Trends: Edibles, Oils & Regulations

Perhaps even larger of an emerging market than legal marijuana itself, is the cannabis-derivative concentrate, Cannabidiol (generally referred to by the market as CBD). The global cannabidiol (CBD) market was valued at approximately USD 11.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 13.1 billion in 2025. CBD has become a widespread phenomenon across North America. Consumer goods items like CBD Gummies, tinctures and dog treats are a rapidly growing market that more and more businesses are joining. Even apparel retailer, Abercrombie & Fitch, is reportedly looking to sell cannabidiol in their stores, through CBD-infused body lotion scrubs and lip balm products.

As a growing number of brands and sponsors become associated with the cannabis-derivative components of CBD, we might see massive growth in this industry. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t have its fair share of challenges. While states like Louisiana are showing signs of enthusiasm towards this emerging market, that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been both legal and medical roadblocks. In an article from the New York Times, published earlier this year, they mention that different states in the U.S. have their own sets of rules and regulations, to the point where it’s becoming a growing issue on the federal level. For example, in 2025, regulations still vary significantly across the U.S. in states like Colorado, all parts of the hemp plant, including CBD, are permitted for use in food and beverage products. Meanwhile, other states such as California, Georgia, and New York have either maintained tighter restrictions or operate under ambiguous guidelines that complicate the sale of CBD-infused consumables.

Despite its explosion in popularity, the CBD market, much like cannabis still faces regulatory uncertainty and lingering skepticism. While consumer demand for CBD products in wellness, food, and even pet care continues to surge, the lack of uniform federal policy keeps the industry from achieving full mainstream traction. Until that changes, CBD-infused goods remain in a gray area, not yet enjoying the same commercial acceptance as alcohol or tobacco but rapidly heading in that direction.

3. Plant-Based & Lab-Grown Meat Industry Trends

Motherless (lab-grown) meats are on the rise in a very big way. Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have created new plant-based products that taste, feel and bleed like real meat. With healthy and sustainable eating becoming a growing trend in North America, the plant-based food industry is becoming more and more prominent in restaurants and grocery stores across Canada and the U.S. In case you needed more evidence of the popularity of these faux meat substitute foods, in 2024, the global plant-based meat market was valued at USD 16.7 billion and is expected to reach USD 18.7 billion in 2025, with further growth to USD 54.8 billion by 2035.

The pioneers behind today’s plant-based food movement have made it clear, they’re aiming to disrupt America’s $300+ billion meat industry. With consumer preferences shifting toward sustainability and health, companies like Beyond Meat are no longer just alternatives; they’re serious contenders.

Major fast-food chains like KFC continue to offer plant-based options, helping normalize “motherless meats” for the everyday consumer. But with rapid growth comes fierce competition. Legacy food giants like Tyson Foods, JBS, Nestlé, and Kellogg have all entered the space with their own meatless lines, intensifying the fight for market share.

While Beyond Meat helped ignite the trend, the question now is whether they can maintain their leadership in an increasingly crowded field. One thing is certain: their early innovation has sparked a massive and lasting shift in the global food industry and there’s no sign of demand slowing down.

4. How AI Is Reshaping Business & Enterprise

The two most common words dominating conversations among investors, tech entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders in 2025? Artificial Intelligence.

A decade ago, cloud computing was still met with confusion and skepticism. Many saw it as a mysterious place where your photos lived after syncing your iPad, not as a foundational tool for business transformation. Back in 2015, GURUS Solutions CEO Martin McNicoll wrote Scale Up Your Business with Cloud Technology: A Practical Guide to Building a Future-Proof Enterprise, warning that too many business owners were resistant to change and missing the quiet revolution that was reshaping how we work.

At the time, even basic tech like EMV card readers or e-commerce integrations felt cutting-edge. Fast forward to today, and if your business isn’t fully online if it doesn’t accept digital payments, offer online services, or operate with real-time data, you’re no longer the norm, you’re falling behind.

Cloud tech is now table stakes. And just like that, we’ve entered the next phase: Artificial Intelligence.

In 2025, AI is no longer a buzzword, it’s an operational necessity. From predictive analytics and automated customer service to generative design and supply chain forecasting, AI is woven into the daily fabric of modern business.

Global venture capital funding in AI surpassed $50 billion in 2024, and it’s accelerating. Entire industries from finance and healthcare to retail and manufacturing are rethinking their strategies to harness AI capabilities.

Of course, new tech always brings new concerns. Deepfake scandals, data misuse, and growing calls for ethical AI regulations have kept the conversation nuanced. In 2023, legislation began surfacing globally to control synthetic media, especially after notable incidents involving manipulated political content and AI-generated misinformation.

But alongside the controversy, innovation is charging ahead. Intelligent chatbots, AI-enhanced ERP systems, and next-gen data tools are helping companies scale faster, work smarter, and serve customers better than ever before.

We’re still writing the rulebook on AI, but one thing is clear: it’s no longer optional. The businesses embracing AI today are the ones shaping tomorrow.

5. Cryptocurrency Adoption & Market Disruption

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: cryptocurrency is going to replace cash and disrupt the entire banking system. While it may have sounded like a millennial catchphrase a few years ago, in 2025, it's no longer just internet hype, it’s a conversation being had in boardrooms, policy discussions, and real-world businesses.

Let me give you a recent example. I was in Las Vegas at the infamous Heart Attack Grill, a place known for serving indulgent, over-the-top meals and leaning heavily into shock-value marketing. One quirk stood out: they don’t accept cards, only cash. It’s part of their gimmick: "If you die mid-meal, you won’t be able to pay by card." But what truly caught my attention wasn’t the calorie count or theatrics, it was the bitcoin ATM sitting next to the standard cash dispenser.

While most diners scrambled to find physical bills, my friend casually used the crypto ATM to convert a portion of his Bitcoin into a barcode-based receipt, generated from a live sell order. That was his method of payment. Fast, frictionless, and entirely outside the traditional financial infrastructure.

No one’s claiming Bitcoin is about to replace fiat currency overnight. But what’s clear is that it’s not going anywhere. Since its launch in 2009 and through every market fluctuation, Bitcoin has matured from a fringe curiosity into a legitimate, if volatile, asset class. As of 2025, more businesses than ever are exploring crypto payment integration or accepting digital assets through platforms that support Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.

It’s not just about replacing cash. It’s about building an alternative digital ecosystem, one that’s decentralized, borderless, and increasingly woven into everyday financial interactions. Whether or not it overtakes traditional currency, it’s already transforming how we think about money.