a16z Crypto, the cryptocurrency arm of a16z, stated in its predictions for 2026 that the impact of crypto will not be limited to blockchains alone, but will expand to broader areas by combining with artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptographic tools.
According to the organization, three main themes will stand out in the coming period: smarter and more scalable prediction markets, verifiable computing extending into non-crypto sectors, and the rise of the “staked media” concept.
According to a16z, prediction markets will become larger, more diverse, and more sophisticated in 2026. Contracts will not be limited to elections and geopolitical developments; they will offer real-time probabilities for complex, intersecting events. This expansion will also raise new societal questions about the transparency and verifiability of information.
Noting that centralized resolution mechanisms are insufficient in contentious situations, a16z argues that decentralized governance models and oracles based on large language models (LLMs) could fill this gap. Furthermore, AI-powered agents are expected to scan global signals by trading in the market, generate short-term insights, and reveal the key determinants of complex social events. The organization argues that predictive markets will not replace surveys; rather, they will complement and enhance them.
SNARK-like cryptographic proofs, which have been limited to blockchains for years, may cross a new threshold in 2026. According to a16z, the cost and memory requirements of zkVM provers are dramatically decreasing; this opens the way for verifiable computation to be used in many areas, from phones to the cloud.
Particularly thanks to the high parallel processing power provided by GPUs, it may become possible to verify applications running on the CPU with real-time cryptographic evidence.
a16z’s third topic focuses on the media field. In an environment where artificial intelligence enables unlimited and inexpensive content production, relying solely on word-of-mouth is becoming increasingly insufficient. According to the organization, tokens, programmable locks, prediction markets, and on-chain histories allow content creators to back up their claims with publicly available and verifiable guarantees.
This approach is described as “staked media”: commentators, analysts, or broadcasters not only express opinions but also build credibility by placing tangible risks behind those opinions. a16z notes that this model will not replace traditional media but will offer a new and powerful signal for transparency and accountability.
*This is not investment advice.
