2026 will be a turning point where cryptography deeply integrates with traditional finance, the internet, and legal systems. According to the latest forecasts from top industry investment institutions, the crypto industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation—evolving from a purely transaction-driven model to an infrastructure-driven stage, involving 17 key development directions.

Stablecoins are becoming the hub of this transformation. More efficient fiat on/off ramps will gradually be established, further promoting upgrades to traditional banking ledgers and payment systems. Meanwhile, the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) will move towards a more "native crypto" development path, with stablecoins playing an indispensable infrastructure role.

Changes in the wealth management sector are also profound. Crypto is breaking the exclusivity for high-net-worth individuals, opening financial management capabilities to all market participants. Privacy issues are considered the most core long-term competitive barrier in the crypto field, with decentralized, quantum-resistant communication paradigms, and innovations like "Secrets-as-a-Service" gradually emerging.

The application dimensions of AI are also expanding. From serious research scenarios to user authentication, "Know Your Customer (KYC)" is evolving into "Know Your Agent (KYA)." New application forms such as prediction markets and staking media are expected to attract a broader user base.

Fundamentally, only as the legal framework gradually aligns with the technical architecture will the full potential of blockchain truly be unleashed. Transactions will no longer be the endpoint of crypto activities but a "transfer hub" leading to a broader ecosystem. Crypto is evolving into a new underlying primitive of the internet and financial systems.