12 Predictions for the Cryptocurrency Market in 2026

1. Capital-efficient consumer credit

Capital-efficient consumer credit will be the next frontier in crypto lending. They will combine complex on-chain and off-chain credit models, modular design and collateral management, and AI learning of user behavior, all encapsulated in an easy-to-access application.

2. Divergence of prediction markets

Prediction markets will evolve in two very different directions—“financial” and “cultural.” In the financial direction, prediction markets will become more composable with DeFi, offering more convenient leverage access, implementing liquidity staking, and creating nearly refined “option” tools. Cultural markets will be more inclined to capture the imagination of the masses, with more regional differences, and serve long-tail enthusiasts.

3. Rise of x402-based intelligent agent commerce

Intelligent agent commerce using endpoints like x402 will expand into more service areas. While the core appeal of intelligent agent commerce will still be small payments, x402 will increasingly be used as a framework for routine payments—mechanically similar to Apple Pay. Some websites may see over 50% of their transaction volume and revenue coming from x402 payments. On the micro-level x402 transaction volume, Solana will surpass Base.

4. AI as the interface layer for crypto interactions

AI-mediated transaction cycles will become mainstream. Although fully autonomous trading AI based on large language models is still experimental, AI-assisted analysis of crypto trends, specific projects, and wallet tracking will gradually permeate the user flows of most consumer-facing crypto applications.

5. Rise of tokenized gold

Trading volume of tokenized gold will grow, becoming a leading asset in the wave of real-world assets (RWA). Tokenized gold can bypass restrictions imposed by various jurisdictions on physical gold, and in the context of structural issues facing the US dollar, it will become an increasingly attractive store of value.

6. “Quantum panic” for BTC

A “quantum panic” (possibly triggered by a technological breakthrough) will occur, prompting many BTC-holding institutions to discuss contingency plans for quantum computing. The resistance of BTC and early Satoshi-era coins will be closely watched. Fortunately, the technology is not yet sufficient to pose a real threat to any value.

7. Unified privacy development experience

With the ongoing development of frameworks like Ethereum’s Kohaku, privacy will gain a unified, developer-friendly interface. Its development path will resemble the previous cycle’s “wallet-as-a-service” platforms—offering an application-level product that abstracts various technical connectors. We may see companies offering “privacy-as-a-service” bundles (perhaps including wallets), mainly targeting enterprise workflows.

8. Integration of DAT (Digital Asset Funds)

Each major category will only integrate 2-3 DATs. This may be achieved by unlocking/releasing liquidity, converting into ETF-style products, or through mergers and acquisitions between DATs.

9. Dissolution of token and equity boundaries

For “governance” type crypto tokens that do not have legal control over companies, survival crises will emerge. We will see more high-quality companies choosing to remain “private” for longer periods. Perhaps we will see exchangeable equity tokens, and regulatory frameworks around token legal ownership will be strengthened.

10. Hyperliquid maintains dominance of perpetual contract DEXs

Perpetual contract DEXs will be integrated, with Hyperliquid maintaining market dominance. The HIP3 market will become the main driver of trading volume, and interest-bearing stablecoins will become first-class citizens on HYPE (Hyperliquid ecosystem), for example via HyENA. USDC’s dominance on HYPE will be replaced by USDe and USDH.

11. Prop AMM (oracle-driven AMM) going multi-chain

Prop AMMs will be deployed across multiple chains, accounting for over half of the trading volume on Solana. They will also be used to price more assets, such as RWAs.

12. Stablecoins become the backbone of international payment flows

An increasing number of existing fintech companies (like Stripe, Ramp, Brex, Klarna) will use stablecoins for their international payment flows. Stablecoin chains like Tempo will become the main entry point for fiat currency into crypto, initially accepting fiat payments and then converting them into stablecoins for settlement.