Will cryptocurrency become an everyday part of life, like the internet? As the world embraces digital innovation, the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain is no longer solely a topic for technologists. Experts argue that cryptocurrency will transcend its technical definition and deeply permeate our daily lives. This assertion was further elaborated in recent remarks by Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (hereinafter referred to as CZ). Appearing on the 'Wolf of All Streets' podcast on April 10, 2026, he predicted that within the next five years, cryptocurrency would become an 'invisible infrastructure' like the internet, and we would no longer even use the term 'cryptocurrency'. Can such a prediction truly become a reality? In this podcast, CZ specifically articulated his views on the future of cryptocurrency. He stated that beyond merely expanding its user base, blockchain technology would become a core component of global finance and business. He emphasized that cryptocurrency and blockchain would become an 'invisible part' of everyday infrastructure, much like the internet today. This implies that, as technology advances, the phenomenon of people using the internet without frequently mentioning the word 'internet' will similarly occur with cryptocurrency. It's a vision where cryptocurrency transitions from being a specific technical term to being used as naturally as water or air. This means blockchain technology will penetrate so deeply into our lives that it becomes a natural presence, no longer separately recognized. There is also concrete data supporting his predictions. Optimistic forecasts for market growth are pouring in from various analytical institutions. Data analytics firm DemandSage estimates that the number of global cryptocurrency users will reach approximately 559 million by 2026. This represents a significant increase compared to the current number of users. Furthermore, investment firm ARK Invest projected that the digital asset market size could expand to as much as $28 trillion by 2030. These astronomical figures suggest the possibility of the cryptocurrency market moving beyond a mere niche to become a mainstream component of the global financial ecosystem. Notably, this remarkable growth is underpinned by the rapid proliferation of stablecoins and tokenized assets. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis analyzed that stablecoin transaction volume could reach $15 quadrillion by 2035. This is an unimaginable scale, potentially rivaling or even surpassing traditional financial systems. Financial experts believe there is a high probability that approximately 10% of global financial transactions will be processed via stablecoins and tokenized assets within the next five years. This is evidence that cryptocurrency is no longer merely a speculative asset but is establishing itself as a practical payment method closely linked to the real economy. Behind this remarkable growth lies another technological turning point. That is, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is regarded as the next-generation driving force that will accelerate the spread of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. CZ predicted that AI would dramatically increase the speed of code development and service implementation. Previously, developing and implementing blockchain-based services required significant time and specialized personnel, but with the help of AI, this process could be drastically shortened. Furthermore, CZ foresaw a high probability of a scenario where AI agents directly operate cryptocurrency wallets and adopt cryptocurrency as their primary payment method. This means AI could autonomously conduct economic activities and choose cryptocurrency as the most efficient payment method. This suggests that the combination of AI and blockchain could transcend mere technological convergence to create an entirely new economic ecosystem. CZ's Vision: The Convergence of Technology and Market However, not all these predictions are met with unreserved optimism. Many experts warn that the future of cryptocurrency could vary significantly depending on regulatory and political environments. If a particular country's policies heavily regulate cryptocurrency, or if conflicts with existing financial systems intensify, the pace of global adoption could slow down. Various variables, such as differing stances among national governments, competition with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and anti-money laundering and consumer protection regulations, could determine the future of cryptocurrency. Conversely, CZ emphasized that future competitiveness would depend on each country's response. He identified the internet, blockchain, and artificial intelligence as key industries determining national competitiveness, warning that any country that misses out on even one of these would suffer severe disadvantages. This is a message implying the need for industry-wide change, beyond mere market losses. Only nations that properly u
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