a16z crypto releases 17 industry trends outlook for 2026

On January 1st, a16z crypto stated in its latest New Year forecast that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the deep integration of crypto technology with finance, the internet, and legal systems. Its release of 17 trends shows that the crypto industry is shifting from “transaction-driven” to “infrastructure-driven.” Key points include: · Stablecoins will see more efficient fiat on/off ramps and will drive upgrades in banking ledgers and payment systems; · Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization will develop in a more “native crypto” manner, with stablecoins becoming a key infrastructure; · Crypto is reshaping wealth management, moving from high-net-worth individuals to “mass adoption”; · Privacy is viewed as the most important long-term moat in the crypto space; · Decentralized, quantum-resistant communication, and new paradigms like “Secrets-as-a-Service” will emerge; · AI will be widely used in serious research scenarios, with “Know Your Customer (KYC)” evolving into “Know Your Agent (KYA)”; · New applications like prediction markets and Staked Media are expected to expand influence; · As legal frameworks gradually align with technical architectures, the full potential of blockchain can truly be unleashed. a16z crypto believes that transactions will no longer be the endpoint of crypto business, but just a “transfer station” leading to a broader application ecosystem, with crypto becoming the underlying new primitive of the internet and financial systems.