By CCN.com: On route to Davos, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman says 2019 will be a year of disruption and innovation. Cryptocurrencies could still be a global currency if the “tremendous demonstration of genius and creativity” finds practical utility.

Pioneering, Followed by a Dose of Reality

Friedman, like others, believes the cryptocurrency space has gone through the first stage of the “classic invention lifecycle” this is:

“Marked by early pioneers, followed by hype, followed by proliferation of newcomers and then a dose of reality.”

For many, that dose of reality is a real hard hitter. Over $400 billion has been wiped off the market capitalization of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin’s price has fallen from highs of $19,000 to lows of $3,200. Early investors may still be in profit, for those who joined the market on its way up, they are sure feeling the downside.

I’m at #WEF2019 and looking forward to the many discussions this week. This year I’ve taken some time to write about my thoughts on the market developments I’m watching in 2019 #Davos2019 @wef https://t.co/M7dhke2UoN pic.twitter.com/0Wp8EGKErD — Adena Friedman (@adenatfriedman) January 20, 2019

Cryptocurrencies Could be the Internet or Segway

The Nasdaq CEO says one of two things will happen next. Firstly, like the internet:

“The innovation finds practical utility followed by years of steady and sustainable commercial progress and integration into the economic fabric.”

Or secondly like the Segway:

“The invention fails to achieve broad adoption and its commercial applications as medium of exchange are limited.”

It’s tough seeing an industry with billions in investment, tens of thousands of credible startups, and stalwart progress towards adoption, compared to a not so successful “personal transportation device.” Even if the Segway was a precursor to technology like the hoverboard.

Nasdaq Works to Gain Investors Trust in Cryptocurrency

Friedman says:

“It is difficult to ignore the huge amount that investors, including some of the most sophisticated global investors, have poured into digital currencies in recent years.”

Adding that such a genius invention “deserves an opportunity to find a sustainable future in our economy.”

That, she says, will depend on governance and regulatory clarity both “antithetical” to a “decentralized, ungovernable” currency.

I’m so proud of our team in Stockholm as we continue to evaluate and build new and innovative technologies for our clients #rewritetomorrow https://t.co/ganDzVfKGR — Adena Friedman (@adenatfriedman) December 10, 2018

For Nasdaq, says Friedman, its about gaining investors trust in cryptocurrency by implementing its trade technology and integrity. The Winklevoss twin’s Gemini exchange uses Nasdaq’s software. Nasdaq has also contributed to Singapore’s efforts to settle tokenized assets and invested in the Wall Street ErisX crypto-exchange. It has also partnered with VanEck to roll out bitcoin futures trading in early 2019.

I don’t say this to dishearten us. Quite the opposite. We remain in the “installation phase” of #crypto (image: https://t.co/8oOws39TaS), where the primary users are developers & investors. There is so much left to build and promise to be realized, which is massively exciting! pic.twitter.com/9pfy5MmJ1k — Chris Burniske (@cburniske) January 5, 2019

Venture capitalist Chris Burniske too believes cryptocurrency is going through a normal phase of market development. He says crypto is still at the “installation phase” also comparable to the internet, and even Amazon’s rise to success.