a16z anticipates decentralized payments will go mainstream, but here’s my perspective:

Stablecoins and Payment Integration: a16z reports that stablecoins are surpassing traditional payment volumes, with predictions that decentralized payments will become mainstream by 2026, driven by integrated gateways and real-world asset (RWA) lending.

On-Chain Lending and RWA Tokenization: The integration of RWA assets with stablecoins is expected to unlock new financial products and enhance liquidity, facilitating on-chain lending services and transforming traditional financial market interactions.

Universal Finance and AI Integration: The emergence of universal finance, supported by AI agents and stablecoin networks, is anticipated to lower investment barriers and reshape digital economic services, making financial participation more accessible.

Competitive Landscape of Stablecoins: The competition among stablecoin providers is expected to intensify, leading to user benefits such as subsidies and incentives, as more compliant institutions enter the market with their own stablecoin offerings.