A16z, the venture capital fund helmed by Andreessen Horowitz, anticipates transformative changes in the financial landscape by 2026, driven largely by the rise of stablecoins and AI agents. In a recent report, the firm highlighted that stablecoins processed approximately $46 trillion in transaction volume last year, eclipsing some of the largest payment networks. However, the challenge remains in effectively integrating these digital currencies with existing financial systems.
The report outlines several key themes set to shape the crypto space in 2026. Among these, new startups are actively developing both on- and off-ramps that connect stablecoins to local payment networks, enabling easier circulation of digital dollars in daily transactions. This innovation could pave the way for instantaneous cross-border payroll solutions and direct merchant acceptance without the need for traditional bank accounts.
A16z also noted a growing interest from banks and fintech firms in the tokenization of traditional assets, although many current efforts appear to mirror existing financial structures. The firm emphasized that while synthetic instruments like perpetual futures could offer more straightforward implementation and greater liquidity, the debate over “perpification versus tokenization” will become increasingly significant as more assets transition to on-chain formats.
In 2025, stablecoin issuance saw notable growth, and A16z predicts that 2026 will mark a shift towards the on-chain origination of credit products, as opposed to off-chain issuance that is later tokenized. The firm criticized banks for their reliance on outdated core systems, suggesting that innovations such as stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and on-chain bonds could enable institutions to introduce new financial products without the need to overhaul legacy infrastructure.
Addressing automation, A16z”s report indicated that the emergence of intent-based systems and AI agents will necessitate payment processes that operate at internet speeds. This could lead to value transfers being integrated as a core network function, rather than an isolated operational layer.
The venture capital firm also highlighted the increasing accessibility of wealth management tools, as tokenized assets and DeFi allocation mechanisms allow for quicker portfolio adjustments, including access to private market assets that were previously restricted to institutional investors. Furthermore, on the topic of identity verification, A16z noted that non-human agents have now outnumbered human employees within financial services. This shift underscores the importance of cryptographically signed credentials, described as “Know Your Agent,” essential for facilitating transactions.
Moreover, A16z pointed out that while AI systems are becoming more prevalent for research tasks, the need for attribution and compensation mechanisms for multi-agent workflows is growing. The firm expressed concern that the rise of AI agents could disrupt traditional revenue models of the open web, necessitating new compensation systems that may incorporate crypto micropayments.
On the privacy front, A16z anticipates that blockchain networks with built-in confidentiality features will gain stronger network effects, as transitioning between private and public environments poses a risk of metadata leakage. The report also indicated a rising interest in decentralized, quantum-resistant messaging networks, with the concept of “secrets-as-a-service” emerging as a framework for enforcing on-chain data access rules.
Finally, A16z”s report addressed recent exploits in the DeFi sector, pointing out that current security practices largely operate on a case-by-case basis. The firm argues for a systemic shift towards proving comprehensive system-wide properties and enforcing them in real-time. Additionally, prediction markets are expected to expand significantly, which may lead to new decentralized governance mechanisms and LLM-based oracles to resolve disputed outcomes.
