Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou shared insights on the maturation of cryptocurrency during a fireside chat at Consensus 2026. Zhou highlighted that over the past decade, cryptocurrencies have evolved from investment products to integral components of the future financial system. He emphasized that the crypto industry, with its 24/7, borderless, and programmable nature, aims to reduce friction in the financial system rather than replace banks. Zhou noted that the infrastructure of the crypto industry is set to become the new "backend" of the financial system, subtly transforming the financial landscape. Users are more interested in instant transfers and global market access, akin to the evolution seen in cloud computing services.