Trading experts have dubbed 2017 the year that the world moved from ‘education to action’ in terms of cryptocurrency, with an increasing trend for investors to respond to cryptocurrency maturation.

While previous years have focused on understanding more about not only cryptocurrency and its technologies, but also how cryptocurrency could fit in and find its place in mainstream banking, 2017 is being celebrated as the year the world really started to make this happen.

Greater education and awareness has resulted in greater demand, which in turn resulted in increased values of cryptocurrencies; some up 1500% within the year. Attracted by rapid maturation, investors chose 2017 tostart putting real money into the industry, with trading institution Cumberland noting that interest in 'crypto-specific' hedge funds has grown at an almost unprecedented rate during 2017.

In addition to investor action, major exchanges such as CME and Nasdaq also announced in 2017 that they plan to begin listing Bitcoin currency in the future, sparking potential as an exchange-traded fund.

Experts claim that a further notable shift in the industry is expected for 2018, with this being the year that the world moves from action to adoption, with more and more investing in cryptocurrency.