Despite frequent short-term price fluctuations, the underlying logic of digital finance is undergoing a significant structural transformation. As the US regulatory environment becomes more favorable, cryptocurrency companies are beginning to penetrate the core of the traditional banking system, seeking national licenses and direct access to the federal payment system. Stablecoins are increasingly solidifying their position as a medium of value exchange, while the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) agents is expected to transform retail payment pathways. The integration of automated purchasing behavior with blockchain technology will be a key indicator to watch in 2026.
Regulatory Breakthrough: Crypto Startups Enter National Banking Sector
Following a 180-degree turn in the Trump administration's pro-cryptocurrency regulatory policies, five cryptocurrency companies, including Circle and Ripple, have received preliminary banking license approvals. Erebor Bank, a startup backed by Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel, has become the first to receive deposit insurance approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), a crucial step forward for crypto startups and a significant boost to investor safety.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has proposed the possibility of establishing a "simplified" master account that would allow these companies to connect directly to federal payment systems, such as the Automated Clearing House and the Federal Wire Transfer Network. The Fed has also publicly solicited opinions on this new type of "payment account," symbolizing a gradual loosening of oversight of crypto startup banks.
Stablecoin Ecosystem: A Settlement Revolution Driven by Financial Giants
Bloomberg analysts believe stablecoins will experience explosive growth in 2026 as companies in the retail, banking, and technology sectors flock to the blockchain in hopes of enabling faster and cheaper transfers.
Credit card giants Visa and Mastercard both announced stablecoin settlement plans this year and expect this trend to accelerate next year. Several other companies, including Stripe's Bridge, Coinbase, and Anchorage Digital, have also launched stablecoin issuance platforms to meet the growing demand.
The global market capitalization of stablecoins has experienced explosive growth in the past two years, increasing from $130 billion in early 2024 to $307.8 billion currently. Even more explosive growth is expected next year.
AI-Native Commerce: The Intersection of Autonomous Payment and Blockchain
Looking ahead to 2026, artificial intelligence may not be able to completely control people's lives yet, but it may soon be able to manage shopping carts.
Mastercard Chief Product Officer Jorn Lambert stated:
"By 2026, intelligent agent-native commerce will become mainstream. We will go beyond simple assistants—AI agents will conduct research, negotiate, and complete secure purchases on behalf of consumers."
Visa's Jenkyn also believes:
"By 2026, we will see AI-powered shopping become fully mainstream, with consumers relying on these agents for their daily shopping."
Is there a greater chance that this shopping process, controlled by an AI agent, will utilize blockchain technology and stablecoin payments?
This article, "2026 Financial Turning Point: Crypto Banks, Stablecoins, and the Mainstreaming of AI Payments," first appeared on ABMedia, a ABMedia .
