AI NEWS - 22/01/2026

Will the Next Crypto Phase Be Driven by AI?

Everyone and their grandmother has heard of Bitcoin by now—or so it seems. With adoption surging worldwide, people are diving into the latest Crypto News to stay in the loop. But nothing’s fresher than the crypto x AI collab.

Crypto’s entering a new era in 2026, and AI looks set to lead the charge. This “intelligent pivot” blends blockchain’s open structure with AI’s smarts, shifting from wild speculation to practical tools for commerce. 

It’s big news for anyone following digital assets—productivity gains could spark a boom, making crypto part of daily life. 

Here’s why it matters.

Capital Flowing into AI-Crypto Hybrids

Even after a 75% drop from 2024 highs, investors stayed committed. In 2025, 83 AI-crypto startups raised $565 million, up 15% from 2024. For every pound in US crypto, 40p now goes to AI projects—double last year’s figure. The market’s growing at 26.8% CAGR, projected to hit $55.2 billion by 2035.

North America holds 42.63% share ($1.97 billion) thanks to strong infrastructure, with Asia-Pacific close behind at 21.30% ($1.09 billion) on retail adoption. This funding wave means more user-friendly tools ahead.

The Rise of the Agentic Economy

AI agents are changing DeFi. They scan on-chain data live, plan strategies with LLMs, trade independently, and improve over time. Their skills have quadrupled yearly, hitting over 70% success in yield hunts across Aave and Compound, accounting for fees and risks.

Agent-to-agent deals via protocols like x402 let them collaborate seamlessly. For regular users, this means automated finance without the hassle— a real step forward.

Mapping the AI Crypto Landscape

Grayscale’s breakdown makes it clear:

Sub-sector	Main Role	Examples
AI Platforms	AI and machine learning builds	Bittensor (TAO), Near (NEAR)
AI Tools & Resources	Data and computing power	Akash (AKT), Render (RNDR), Grass
AI Apps & Agents	User apps and identity	Virtuals, Worldcoin, Kaito

These layers build a full ecosystem for decentralised AI.

Decentralised Compute on the Rise

With cloud costs soaring, DePIN platforms offer cheaper GPU access—up to 80% savings. Key players:

• Akash (AKT): Open marketplace with NVIDIA GPUs.
• Bittensor (TAO): Marketplace for competing AI models.
• Render (RNDR): GPU rental for AI and rendering.
• Aethir: Vast H100 network with stablecoin payments.
• Flux: Sustainable nodes via useful work.

Early 2026 shows strength: TAO at $3 billion (+25% YTD), RNDR +70%.

Stablecoins Anchoring It All

Stablecoins could reach $1 trillion circulation, boosted by the GENIUS Act. Visa handles $3.5 billion yearly. Yield-bearing ones like USDe may triple to $150 billion, while tokenised assets hit $250 billion. Institutions like BlackRock are piling in.

Risks to Keep in Mind

• Critics like Burry flag an AI bubble—huge capex with shaky returns. 
• Regulators worry about AI errors. 
• Ethereum pushes back with better privacy tools. 
• Bitcoin might break its cycle, eyeing $100,000–$250,000 steadily.

AI Is Poised to Drive the Next Wave

With billions in VC, tech partnerships like Apple-Google, and agents powering DeFi, 2026 feels like crypto’s maturing moment. It’s news that could bring blockchain to the masses through seamless, smart tools. Worth keeping an eye on.