Pantera Capital researcher Jay Yu predicts that 2026 will mark a shift in crypto markets toward credit, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and security rather than pure price narratives.
In a new outlook released by Pantera Capital, researcher Jay Yu outlined 12 predictions for 2026, emphasizing that the next phase of crypto growth will be driven by real-world usage and structural innovation. According to Yu, the market is moving beyond speculative cycles toward more sustainable foundations.
Yu expects crypto credit markets to evolve into capital-efficient consumer lending models that require less collateral. Such structures could expand access to financial services by reaching users underserved by traditional finance, accelerating adoption across decentralized finance applications.
Artificial intelligence also features prominently in the forecast. Yu noted that AI-driven trading systems, currently used by a niche audience, are likely to become more mainstream by 2026. In parallel, agent-based business models built on endpoint-focused infrastructure such as x402 are expected to spread across payments, data verification, and digital services.
One of the more striking predictions involves a potential quantum security debate around Bitcoin. Yu suggested that renewed concerns over quantum computing could prompt institutions holding large Bitcoin reserves to revisit contingency planning, making security and resilience central themes in the coming cycle.
