As Stablecoins Surge and Regulators Act, Animoca Bets on DePIN and AI for 2026

Animoca Brands, a global leader in blockchain and AI-driven gaming, is broadening its investment horizon to include stablecoins, artificial intelligence (AI), and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) in 2026. This strategic shift aligns with broader trends in financial technology and infrastructure innovation, as companies across sectors seek to leverage emerging technologies to address scalability and regulatory challenges. The firm's expanded focus reflects a growing consensus among investors and regulators that stablecoins, AI, and DePIN are pivotal to the next phase of digital infrastructure development.

The stablecoin market, now valued at $309 billion, has experienced exponential growth, surging over 6,000% since 2019. Klarna, the Swedish payment giant, recently entered the space by launching KlarnaUSD, a stablecoin backed by the Tempo blockchain and supported by Stripe. Klarna's move underscores the increasing institutional interest in stablecoins as faster, more efficient alternatives to traditional payment systems, particularly for cross-border transactions. Analysts at Citigroup project stablecoin issuance could reach $1.9 trillion by 2030, driven by institutional demand and regulatory clarity.

Regulatory developments are also shaping the landscape. The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on a crypto market structure bill in December 2025, which aims to clarify whether cryptocurrencies are securities or commodities and establish a cohesive framework for oversight. If passed, the bill could streamline regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC, addressing long-standing ambiguities that have hindered market growth. Meanwhile, the SEC's revised 2025 agenda emphasizes innovation-friendly oversight, proposing exemptions, safe harbors, and tailored rules for digital assets. These efforts signal Washington's intent to create a structured yet flexible environment for crypto, potentially influencing global regulatory standards.

Beyond stablecoins, DePIN is gaining traction as a model for decentralized infrastructure. This approach, which leverages distributed networks to manage physical assets like energy grids or logistics systems, is being explored by companies like Amentum, whose Q4 FY25 revenue reached $14.4 billion, driven by energy and defense contracts. Amentum's growth highlights the intersection of traditional infrastructure and blockchain, with DePIN offering scalable solutions for asset management and data transparency. Similarly, Nukkleus Inc. is acquiring Rimon, a key supplier for Israel's Iron Dome defense system, is positioning itself to benefit from a $8.7 billion U.S.-funded expansion of the system, with production scaling to meet increased demand by 2026.

The convergence of these trends-stablecoins, AI, and DePIN-reflects a broader shift toward decentralized, data-driven infrastructure. As governments and corporations seek to modernize systems in finance, defense, and energy, the role of blockchain and AI in enabling interoperability and efficiency is becoming critical. For Animoca Brands and others entering the space, the next two years will likely test the resilience of regulatory frameworks and the scalability of decentralized networks, with outcomes shaping the future of digital infrastructure globally.