🎉Happy New Year 2026~

In a previous post, we summarized A16z’s view on the overall trajectory of crypto in 2026, covering everything from payments and asset forms to infrastructure. The post highlighted the main areas institutional players are focusing on as the industry evolves.
See the original here: https://x.com/137LabsCN/status/2003795134698360924?s=20

Building on that, A16z released an update yesterday with a more detailed checklist for 2026.
Titled “17 things we’re excited about for crypto in 2026”, the update lists 17 specific directions across stablecoins and payments, real-world assets (RWA), identity and privacy, AI, communications infrastructure, and legal/technical alignment.

Compared with the previous high-level outlook, this update focuses more on concrete issues and implementation paths, showing A16z’s attention to crypto moving from concept to execution.

A16z’s 17 Signals for 2026

1、More efficient stablecoin onramps/offramps
Adoption depends heavily on how efficiently and cheaply funds move on and off-chain. Competition will focus on who can provide smoother, compliant access.

2、Looking at RWA and stablecoins in a crypto-native way
Instead of copying traditional finance, the focus is on whether assets are truly chain-native—composable, automatically settled, and programmable.

3、Stablecoins driving upgrades to banking ledgers
Stablecoins act as a ledger upgrade for traditional banking systems, supporting faster settlements and new payment scenarios.

4、The internet taking on banking functions
As stablecoins, payment protocols, and wallet infrastructure develop, some traditional banking functions are being handled natively online.

5、Wealth management for a wider audience
On-chain finance can lower the barrier to wealth management, letting more users access automated, low-cost services.

6、From KYC to KYA (Know Your Agent)
With AI agents participating in trading, research, and asset management, systems need to recognize and control agents, not just individuals.

7、Using AI for substantive research
AI is moving from support tools to active participants in data analysis, research, and decision-making.

8、Invisible costs on open networks
Open networks carry hidden cost structures that affect user behavior and system efficiency.

9、Privacy as a core moat
Privacy is now a fundamental factor in whether a system can be sustainable.

10、Decentralized, quantum-resistant communication
Future messaging systems need both quantum resistance and decentralization.

11、Secrets-as-a-service
Key and sensitive information management is evolving into a service, forming part of infrastructure.

12、From “code is law” to “spec is law”
System rules are defined not only by code but also by clear specifications and standards.

13、Expansion of prediction markets
Prediction markets will cover more areas and become more sophisticated in structure and intelligence.

14、Staked media
Content combined with financial mechanisms, creating media models based on staking and incentives.

15、Crypto as a reusable technical primitive
Blockchain capabilities can be called by broader systems beyond the chain itself.

16、Trading as a waypoint, not the end
Trading becomes a step within a larger business model rather than the final product.

17、Alignment of legal and technical frameworks
Blockchain potential is fully realized when legal structures better match technical systems.

From these 17 points, it’s clear A16z is focused on building core capabilities rather than chasing short-term market trends. Payments, asset forms, identity, privacy, and legal structures appear repeatedly, signaling areas that need solving.

Overall, A16z’s view on 2026 emphasizes long-term, structural development. The focus is on usability, sustainability, and better integration with the real world. Progress might be subtle, but it will shape the industry’s path.

Finally, wishing everyone a happy new year. Stay safe, keep building, and may 2026 bring steady progress.