a16z Crypto Call of 2026: Stablecoins Will Surpass Visa

The company suggests that digital wallets could eventually handle payments on a scale that rivals global card networks.

Venture capital firm a16z Crypto outlined the biggest expectations in the field of digital assets in a post shared by X on January 1, pointing to major changes in payments, privacy, and blockchain use cases in 2026.

The list creates a future where stablecoins will compete with global credit card networks, privacy tools will become a key competitive advantage, and crypto firms will move beyond trading as markets prepare for a potential comeback.

Main Story: Vision Beyond Trading

The company’s detailed list has 2026 as an important year for the maturity of blockchain applications. The main theme is the evolution of stablecoins from a niche crypto tool to a mainstream part of global finance.

a16z suggested that these digital dollars could lead to the modernization of banking infrastructure, saying that “the internet is becoming a bank.” This means a future where digital wallets and established networks handle payments and wealth management on a scale that rivals traditional giants.

In addition, a16z identified privacy as “the most important aspect of crypto. This marks an important change in the story, suggesting that the ability to make verifiable but private transactions will be the main factor that attracts users, rather than just open speculation.”

This view comes at a time when crypto markets are showing unusual calm, with analysis from Sentiment showing the trading activity of major assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) has dropped to annual declines, with many altcoins losing momentum at the tail end of 2025.

Macro Signals Hint at Rotation Toward Crypto in 2026

Although short-term interest appears to have been muted, several analysts see conditions shaping up for a strong year ahead. For example, market observers have pointed to the Federal Reserve ending rate tightening and cutting rates three times in 2025, with further reductions expected in 2026. Low borrowing costs and loose liquidity have long favored riskier assets, including digital currencies.

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Another analyst, Bull Theory, compared the current situation of Bitcoin to the middle of 2020, when gold and silver increased first before more money went into crypto later. Precious metals are also setting records, which some see as a sign that money may be in the next cycle rather than out of the markets.

Altcoins, however, remain mixed. Solana (SOL) held close to $126 through December as trading in the space eased, although the ETF’s latest move suggests institutions are still paying attention. Other major tokens, such as Cardano (ADA) and Dogecoin (DOGE), ended the year on a low note, indicating limited interest in selling.

Against this backdrop, a16z’s focus on payments, privacy, and practical blockchain applications suggests that the next phase may depend less on speculation and more on whether crypto can prove its worth in everyday finance as 2026 unfolds.