Institutional adoption, not speculation, will define the next phase of Web3, according to Evan Auyang, Group President at Animoca Brands. In an interview, Auyang highlighted that agentic AI—autonomous software agents capable of making decisions and executing transactions—will significantly accelerate blockchain payments, investing, and digital asset adoption. He also emphasized that stablecoins and tokenization are evolving into foundational infrastructure for global finance.
Auyang noted that blockchain's original purpose was to create an asset built on decentralized trust, a concept first realized with Bitcoin after the 2008 financial crisis. Since then, the industry has cycled through initial coin offerings, NFTs, meme coins, and now tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). He argued that the focus has shifted back to practical applications, with stablecoins, tokenized assets, and the intersection of blockchain and AI emerging as the strongest use cases.
“The next chapter is really about institutional adoption, and it'll be accelerated by AI,” Auyang said. He pointed out that stablecoins have moved beyond crypto trading to become critical for cross-border payments, settlements, and tokenized financial markets. The primary driver is efficiency: moving trillions of dollars demands cost savings, and blockchain offers lower costs and faster settlement.
Artificial intelligence, particularly agentic AI, is expected to amplify these trends. Auyang explained that autonomous AI systems require an internet-native financial infrastructure. “An agent cannot use a credit card,” he noted, arguing that programmable money on blockchain provides a suitable mechanism for autonomous software. AI agents can execute transactions continuously, at the speed of calculations, pushing traditional finance toward 24/7 markets.
The relationship between traditional finance and blockchain has changed dramatically, Auyang observed. Asset managers have embraced tokenization, and competitive pressures are now a catalyst for adoption. Firms are increasingly asking whether they can afford not to adopt blockchain technology, rather than whether they should.
Beyond the United States, Asia is moving aggressively to develop digital asset infrastructure. Auyang highlighted regulatory efforts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and the UAE. Many governments are pursuing regulated stablecoins to preserve monetary sovereignty as more financial assets become tokenized. “Countries cannot afford to have complete dollarization with the financial system because they lose their monetary policy independence,” he said, explaining why several jurisdictions are developing non-dollar stablecoins.
Geopolitical considerations also influence policy decisions, as nations seek to maintain control over their financial systems. Auyang's insights align with broader trends in the digital asset space, where institutional interest is growing amid regulatory clarity and technological advancements.
For investors, the convergence of AI and blockchain presents opportunities in sectors like cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and infrastructure supporting autonomous agents. However, the market remains volatile, and regulatory developments will continue to shape the landscape. As Auyang noted, the industry is moving from speculative cycles to real-world financial applications, a shift that could redefine the role of blockchain in global finance.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
