During a recent panel at NEARCON 2026 in San Francisco, discussions emerged about the potential intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Some crypto leaders are optimistic that AI could significantly enhance the adoption of blockchain infrastructure, while others express skepticism about the ease of this transition.
Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley characterized AI as a rapidly advancing force, likening its development to an “unstoppable freight train.” He noted that AI is achieving milestones at a pace unprecedented in the crypto sector, suggesting that traditional metrics for crypto adoption may no longer apply. “You have to dump the last six years of data and cut it fresh from the last six months,” he stated.
Horsley believes that public blockchains stand to gain the most from AI’s growth. He argued that as autonomous agents begin to operate on behalf of users, crypto solutions could provide necessary safeguards. “You’re gonna want to fund them with stablecoins. They’re gonna want to transact confidentially,” he explained, highlighting the role of stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure in facilitating secure transactions.
In contrast, Diogo Monica, general partner at Haun Ventures and co-founder of Anchorage Digital, challenged the notion that new systems are essential for agent-driven commerce. He pointed out that advanced AI could effectively utilize existing payment methods, stating, “You are telling me that a superhuman intelligence cannot use the current payment rails… to pay for things and to figure it out on their own.”
Despite his reservations, Monica acknowledged a complementary relationship between AI and crypto. He remarked, “AI creates digital abundance and crypto versus digital scarcity. These are actually complementary technologies,” suggesting that the privacy and verification capabilities of crypto could address some of the challenges posed by AI.
The ongoing debate about whether blockchain will serve as the primary framework for automated commerce remains unresolved. However, as AI technology continues to evolve, discussions about its implications for the crypto landscape are becoming increasingly critical.
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In related news, the creator of the AI agent OpenClaw has banned any mention of cryptocurrency in its Discord channel following a tumultuous period marked by token speculation. This decision comes after scammers exploited the project’s previous branding, leading to the promotion of a fake token that briefly reached a market cap of $16 million before collapsing. Security researchers have since discovered numerous unsecured instances of OpenClaw and malicious skills targeting crypto enthusiasts, raising concerns about the speculative nature of token culture.
At NEARCON 2026, crypto executives discussed the potential of AI to drive blockchain adoption, with differing views on the necessity of new infrastructure. The debate highlights the evolving relationship between these technologies as AI advances.