BlackRock: AI Boom Could Drive New Cryptocurrency Demand
In brief
- BlackRock views digital assets as 'machine-native money' for autonomous software systems.
- AI and crypto convergence emerging despite developing as independent sectors.
- Stablecoins on Ethereum could benefit from AI-driven demand growth.
AI and Crypto Convergence
AI and crypto are currently in the process of converging despite initially developing as independent sectors, according to BlackRock's research. The firm sees this intersection as a natural evolution. AI could be bullish for crypto due to the interaction of autonomous software with financial systems, the asset manager argued in its analysis.
BlackRock highlighted several emerging examples of this convergence. Coinbase's x402 was specifically mentioned as a promising example. The asset manager also pointed to Stripe and OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol as novel systems demonstrating how autonomous agents interact with payment infrastructure.
Stablecoins and Always-On Settlement
Stablecoins occupy a unique position in this emerging landscape. Stablecoins can be transferred around the clock, unlike traditional payment rails constrained by banking hours. Many of the largest stablecoins operate on public blockchains such as Ethereum, which could benefit from increased AI-driven activity and transaction volume.
Computing Capacity and New Asset Classes
BlackRock's thesis extends beyond simple demand. The asset manager believes the humongous amount of computing capacity required by AI could even lead to the creation of a new class of digital assets. BlackRock has predicted the appearance of new markets for standardized claims on future computing capacity, opening entirely new avenues for tokenization and blockchain-based financial instruments.
The convergence of AI and crypto remains speculative. Yet BlackRock's institutional perspective suggests the intersection warrants serious attention from investors and builders alike.
