In the wake of Nvidia’s landmark announcements on AI during CES 2025, the cryptocurrency sector is ripe with discussions and forecasts. Observers are speculating about a significant transition in crypto adoption, where artificial intelligence (AI) agents could lead the next surge in users, diverging from a human-centric model to one that might predominantly involve AI.
Entrepreneurs and investors at the forefront of cryptocurrency are envisioning a future where AI agents take precedence over human involvement in the blockchain ecosystem. However, there’s a divide in opinions regarding the trajectory to this future and its implications for the broader community.
Evan, an influential voice on Twitter with credentials as an ecosystem lead at Monad and former analyst at McKinsey, shared a bold prediction: “We will see a billion agents onchain before we see a billion humans onchain,” attributing the shift to the inherently complex and user-unfriendly nature of current crypto interfaces, which AI agents could navigate without hassle.
This vision arises amidst a noticeable uptick in AI agent development tailored for the crypto industry, exemplifying platforms like Virtuals, which has already generated substantial revenue. Notably, the crypto market is witnessing a surge in certain assets, particularly those related to AI agent projects, underscoring a growing demand for AI-driven functionalities.
Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly Capital, highlights the transformative potential of increased access and affordability in developing blockchain applications. By significantly lowering the financial barrier to entry, AI cloud computing could empower developers to launch and scale blockchain applications with far less capital, potentially triggering a renaissance in on-chain innovation.
Yet, the conversation extends beyond financial democratization. Ethical considerations, particularly concerning authentication and trust in digital interactions, come to the fore as AI agents gain capabilities to mimic human behavior convincingly. Qureshi provocatively suggests a near future where distinctions between AI and human interactions blur, challenging our perceptions of authenticity online.
Despite the innovative leap forward, skepticism remains about the depth of the current AI integration within crypto. Qureshi points out that many so-called “AI agents” might not live up to their name, serving more as advanced chatbots linked to cryptocurrency assets rather than autonomous entities capable of sophisticated interactions.
Reflecting on the symbiotic relationship between AI and crypto, Delphi Labs presented a comprehensive analysis last September, arguing for the crucial role of cryptocurrency in counteracting potential monopolies by big tech and state entities over AI. By fostering a more decentralized and accessible development environment, crypto could offer superior solutions that benefit both developers and end-users.
However, the substantial transformation promised by AI doesn’t necessarily spell doom for human involvement. Philosopher Yuk Hui, with a background in software engineering, offers a reassuring perspective, suggesting that AI agents are unlikely to supplant humans entirely any time soon. According to Hui, we are likely to witness machine intelligence reshaping human capabilities in unprecedented ways, far beyond our current imagination.
In summary, as we continue to navigate through the evolving landscapes of AI and cryptocurrency, these technological advancements beckon a reevaluation of how we conceive interactions, value creation, and the very essence of human contribution to the digital realm.