From stablecoins to AI: how crypto leaders see 2026 taking shape

Source: Yellow Original Title: From Stablecoins to AI: How Crypto Leaders See Shaping 2026

Original Link: Industry leaders expect 2026 to mark a decisive shift from experimentation to execution, with stablecoins, regulated infrastructure, and artificial intelligence shaping the next growth phase, according to executives in payments, policy, wallets, and decentralized computing.

Following the return of crypto IPOs and funding rounds in 2025, investor focus has shifted toward sustainability rather than growth at any cost.

Executives note that the recovery indicated renewed confidence but also set a higher bar for companies seeking capital, emphasizing revenue generation, regulatory compliance, and products actively relied upon by users.

Investors Shift Focus Toward Utility and Operational Discipline

Petr Kozyakov, co-founder and CEO of payments infrastructure firm Mercuryo, stated that the resurgence of listings and funding reflected a clear change in investor priorities.

He said capital is increasingly flowing toward companies demonstrating stable performance, transparent operations, and real demand, rather than long-term promises.

Looking ahead, Kozyakov pointed out that 2026 growth will favor businesses that keep crypto services simple and integrate them into familiar financial flows like cards, transfers, and online payments.

He added that progress will be driven by faster settlement, smoother cross-border payments, and compliance processes that operate quietly in the background, allowing cryptocurrencies to function as part of the broader financial network rather than as a separate system.

Stablecoins and Regulation Anchor the Next Adoption Phase

Stablecoins emerged as the most robust user growth area in 2025, and executives generally expect this trend to continue.

Maja Vujinovic, CEO and co-founder of Digital Assets at FG Nexus, said that stablecoins and tokenized Treasury bonds are not meant to replace traditional banking in 2026 but will play an increasingly important role in international transactions and institutional capital flows.

“Traditional banking will not be displaced by dollar stablecoins and tokenized Treasury bonds by 2026, but these instruments will become significant players in international transactions and institutional capital movements,” Vujinovic said.

She added that corporate treasurers and fintechs are increasingly viewing blockchain-based dollars as financial infrastructure rather than speculative assets.

Regulatory clarity is expected to determine how quickly that adoption scales.

Nilmini Rubin, policy director at Hedera, noted that clearer regulatory guidance in key markets has strengthened consumer protection and rebuilt trust, while globally, jurisdictions treating regulatory clarity as strategic infrastructure are better positioned to attract investment and support sustainable innovation in 2026.

AI, Prediction Markets, and Decentralized Infrastructure Gain Momentum

Beyond payments and regulation, executives expect new use cases to define the next chapter of cryptocurrencies.

Filip Dragoslavic, co-founder and co-CEO of Solflare, stated that prediction markets, stablecoins, and AI will be central to the crypto trajectory in 2026.

He said AI-driven products will increasingly rely on simple language inputs, while automation will focus on reducing manual work without removing user control over their financial assets.

At the infrastructure level, decentralized AI is expected to gain traction as centralized models encounter scaling limits and energy restrictions.

Greg Osuri, founder of Akash, said decentralized AI will become one of the biggest Web3 use cases in 2026, driven by the need for scalable, energy-efficient systems that preserve privacy.

He also mentioned that projects will face growing pressure to demonstrate product-market fit before focusing on liquidity or tokenization.

Across all sectors, executives agree that 2026 will reward companies that combine clear regulation, strong user experience, and demonstrable utility, signaling a more disciplined phase for the crypto industry.