Catenaa, Saturday, January 17, 2026- Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm, a16z, predicts that 2026 will mark a shift in the cryptocurrency industry, with innovation driven less by new blockchains and more by applications in markets, computing infrastructure, and media.
The firm highlighted prediction markets, cryptographic proofs, and “staked media” as key areas shaping the next phase of growth.
Prediction markets are expected to expand and become more sophisticated as they integrate crypto and artificial intelligence. By the end of 2025, Polymarket and Kalshi recorded a combined $28 billion in trading volume, demonstrating the sector’s rapid evolution from niche experiments to mainstream tools.
a16z researchers emphasize the need for decentralized governance and AI-assisted oracles to resolve contested outcomes transparently.
Cryptographic proofs are also moving beyond blockchain applications. Advances in zero-knowledge virtual machines are lowering verification costs, enabling secure computation for cloud workloads and potentially consumer-scale devices.
This could allow businesses to validate computations without rerunning them, expanding verifiable computation into general digital infrastructure.
The firm’s outlook additionally highlighted “staked media,” where creators and analysts use crypto to align financial or reputational incentives with their claims.
Tokenized assets and on-chain histories can demonstrate credibility, providing transparent signals of trust amid rising AI-generated content.
a16z concludes that crypto-native tools are increasingly integrated across industries, supporting infrastructure, trust, and market efficiency.
The firm also anticipates privacy will become a major competitive factor for blockchain networks in 2026.
