A new era is starting in the cryptocurrency sector.

A major transformation is being sought in the world of cryptocurrency. a16z crypto, operating under Andreessen Horowitz, claims in a new report that cryptocurrencies have shifted from being a destination to taking on an infrastructure role. It is predicted that in 2026, the competitive advantage in the industry will be shaped by the real-life effects of crypto-based tools rather than speculation.

The first area of interest highlighted in the report is prediction markets. a16z crypto believes that the intersection of crypto and artificial intelligence will further expand these markets. Leading platforms in the sector, Polymarket and Kalshi, aim to reach a total transaction volume of approximately $28 billion by the end of 2025. This situation indicates the transformation of prediction markets from a niche experience into mainstream information sources.

In prediction markets, the biggest barrier to growth is the question of "how is the truth determined." Andy Hall notes that especially with the divergence of centralized decision-making mechanisms on political and geopolitical issues, the need for decentralized governance and AI-supported oracle solutions will increase.

The second important topic in the report is cryptographic proofs. Justin Thaler emphasizes that advancements in zero-knowledge-based virtual machines are increasing the applicability of verifiable computation in cloud systems. These developments will allow companies to cryptographically verify that computations are performed correctly without having to check them again.

One of the most striking points of the report is the concept of "staked media." Robert Hackett states that content creators can build trust using on-chain records, locked assets, and token mechanisms for their claims. In an era where AI-generated content is rapidly spreading, it is anticipated that transparent commitments will create a new signal of trust. This also supports a16z crypto's previous prediction that privacy will be the most critical competitive advantage for blockchain networks by 2026.