Main Points：
- CZ foresees cryptocurrencies, not fiat, powering AI-driven economies.
- AI-driven autonomous networks—“AI Economy”—will need decentralized, fast, low-cost mediums of exchange.
- Blockchain ensures trust and transparency in AI-to-AI transactions.
- Investors should evaluate crypto assets tied to AI infrastructure and partnerships.
- Recent trends: surge in AI‑crypto fundraising, market expansion, and infrastructure developments.
1. CZ’s Vision: Crypto as the Native Currency for AI
Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao boldly proclaimed that AI’s natural currency will be cryptocurrency, not fiat money. He argues that AI systems operate with logic, speed, and borderless efficiency—making fiat, with its transactional delays and centralized control, incompatible. Instead, decentralized, fast-settling crypto suits AI’s autonomous demands.
This isn’t just rhetoric. At an institutional event, CZ explained, “AI is not going to swipe a card… It’s going to be crypto.” In his view, cryptocurrency offers the architecture AI ecosystems need—global liquidity, instant settlement, and programmable trust.
2. The Emergence of an AI Economy
This vision ushers in a radical shift: the birth of an “AI Economy”, where autonomous agents trade computation, data, and services with each other using crypto as medium. Traditional fiat systems are hampered by cross-border friction, bank delays, and regulatory complexity. Cryptocurrencies remove these barriers, enabling seamless, low-cost, near-instant transactions between AI entities globally.
Moreover, the blockchain ledger ensures transparency and immutability. Smart contracts can autonomously enforce agreements, while each transaction remains verifiable—crucial for AI ecosystems where origin and validity of actions matter.
3. Implications for Investors: AI-Crypto as Strategic Assets
What does this mean for investors seeking the next frontier? Rather than seeing crypto as mere currency, think of it as AI infrastructure tokens. Investors should seek out assets that are:
- Embedded in AI data or compute marketplaces (e.g., Render, Bittensor, Ocean Protocol)
- Part of platforms enabling AI agents to transact autonomously
- Backed by compelling real-world use cases and partnerships in AI ecosystems
This investment thesis aligns with emerging trends: in the first eight months of 2025, AI-focused crypto projects raised $516 million, a 6% increase over 2024. Meanwhile, the total market cap for AI‑focused tokens reached $34.32 billion as of August 2025, showing explosive growth.
4. Landscape of AI-Crypto Today
In 2025, AI and crypto are intertwined more than ever:
- AI tokens like Bittensor (TAO), Fetch.ai (FET), Render (RNDR), Ocean Protocol (OCEAN), and NEAR are prominent players.
- AI agents—autonomous software that interacts on-chain without constant human input—are gaining traction.
- Market dynamics: AI‑crypto capitalization surged sharply—some projects doubled in value within a week in early 2025.
Still, such rapid growth carries risks: hype, regulatory uncertainty, and volatility abound.
5. Recent Trends: Bridging AI, Crypto, and Real-World Infrastructure
Several developments underscore the momentum:
- Coinbase launched the x402 protocol, enabling real‑time stablecoin micropayments by AI agents—think chatbots billing per query autonomously.
- The GENIUS Act passed in July 2025 in the U.S., setting stricter regulations on stablecoins, ensuring they are 1-to-1 backed, increasing credibility for stablecoin infrastructure.
- The Origin Summit in Seoul convened leaders from IP, AI, and blockchain to discuss AI economy opportunities estimated at $80 trillion, signifying institutional recognition.
Conclusion
In summary, CZ’s prediction—that AI’s currency will be crypto—signals a paradigm shift. As AI agents increasingly transact autonomously, decentralized crypto emerges as the technical and economic backbone. This convergence isn’t speculative—it’s actively shaping token valuations, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks. For forward‑looking investors and innovators in blockchain, AI‑crypto represents the forefront of technological and financial innovation.
