a16z predicts smarter stablecoin usage in 2026

a16z predicted multiple trends will continue into 2026, with smarter solutions and faster outreach for stablecoin issuers. Stablecoins and RWA tokenization will remain some of the leading crypto topics. 

a16z, one of the leading investment funds in the crypto space, released its latest edition of Big Ideas, tracking the expectations for crypto use cases, general activity, and the leading trends for next year. 

It's time for our annual big ideas.

Here are 17 things that various a16z crypto partners (plus a few guest contributors) are excited about for what’s ahead in 2026.

On topics ranging from agents and AI; stablecoins, tokenization, and finance; privacy and security; to prediction… pic.twitter.com/9PRce5Bk1Y

— a16z crypto (@a16zcrypto) December 11, 2025

The fund gathered the opinions of 17 partners and several guest contributors to draw the roadmap for crypto development in 2026. Narratives going into the new year include AI agents, stablecoins, tokenization, traditional finance, privacy, prediction markets and other use cases and technologies. 

a16z also expects growth in crypto infrastructure like ZK-Snarks and the evolution of DeFi into more standardized activity. Trading will remain, but it will be incorporated as a small part of a wider, connected crypto ecosystem. 

Stablecoin usage may change banking and value transfers

Several analysts focused on the shifts in stablecoin usage. Jeremy Zhang from the a16z crypto engineering team expects to see more mature ramps into stablecoin usage. Zhang predicts more direct stablecoin payments for local services. 

Stablecoins may be used for payroll, and merchants may start to trust and accept the assets more widely. Apps will use stablecoins to settle value instantly, and stablecoins will shift from a niche tool to a key component of Internet value transfers and settlements. 

Stablecoins and tokenization may require more standard rules, expects Guy Wuollet, a16z crypto general partner. Wuollet commented that the tokenization trend may lead to more frictionless lending.

Sam Broner expects stablecoins to become a key technology for new fintech products. The ease of building stablecoins may change the way banks operate, opening an easy ramp to create more fintech services, while retaining the legacy banking systems as a backup. 

“Stablecoins, tokenized deposits, tokenized treasuries, and onchain bonds allow banks, fintechs, and financial institutions to build new products and serve new customers. More importantly, they can do this without forcing these organizations to rewrite their legacy systems,” said Broner.

Stablecoin technology has expanded with multiple types of chains, though there is still no consensus on the standard of usage. Most payments move through Ethereum, Tron, and Solana. 

AI will take over human activity in crypto

AI agents will continue to find use cases in crypto, leading to more automation and even decision processes. AI may be involved in settlements and added as another layer next to smart contracts. 

Maggie Hsu from the a16z crypto go-to-market team expects AI agents to deliver personalized wealth management and improve asset allocation in an increasingly complex DeFi market. Protocols may evolve to screen personal AI agents, instead of user identities. 

AI agents may also assist users with research, according to Scott Kominers, a16z crypto research team and professor at Harvard Business School. Kominers also believes AI agent architecture may become more complex, with new agents using the insights of simpler tools.

Privacy to become the next moat in crypto

Privacy technology will keep its importance in crypto, both for payments and communication. Private chains may prove a challenge, as they will limit users in their transactions, predicted Ali Yahya, a16z crypto general partner.

Privacy may be challenged by quantum computing, leading more apps to shift to decentralization and quantum-resistant encryption.

Adeniyi Abiodun, chief product officer and co-founder of Mysten Labs expects to see emerging secret-as-a-service platforms. Abiodun expects to have programmable flows to protect data through multiple management tools, not relying on a singular privacy service, turning privacy into permanent Internet infrastructure. 

Prediction markets and crypto media will challenge traditional models

Prediction markets will grow in 2026, becoming more complex and influential. Andy Hall, a16z crypto research advisor and professor of political economy, Stanford University, believes prediction apps will try to improve their settlement and finalization, also using AI and LLM to reach consensus. 

Robert Hackett from the a16z crypto editorial team also envisions “staked media”, a new model where the truth is tied to value and is verified on-chain. 

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