In 2026, the cryptocurrency landscape is set to evolve with the rise of application-specific chains and AI agents revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi). Developers are increasingly focusing on enhancing user experience by creating custom chains, akin to assembling personalized PCs. This shift is expected to drive innovation in prediction markets, with platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi at the forefront. AI-driven curators are anticipated to significantly boost DeFi efficiency, while short-form video platforms emerge as new digital storefronts. Blockchain technology is poised to facilitate real-time commerce payments, and the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is expected to expand. Additionally, AI training is moving towards decentralized models, although the risk of DeFi exploits remains a critical concern for the industry.