The cryptocurrency landscape in 2026 is poised for a major reshuffle. From the current ecosystem perspective, tracks like DePIN, Ethereum Layer2, and AI Agent—which correspond to real-world application demands—are expected to become new growth drivers as technology implementation progresses and ecosystems mature. DePIN combines physical assets with on-chain incentives, while AI Agent merges large language models with autonomous decision-making, both seeking breakthrough paths. Ethereum Layer2 will continue to consolidate its position as a scaling solution.

In contrast, Meme coins, despite sustained popularity, will struggle to escape their speculative nature, with sustained decline likely becoming the norm. Restaking, as a staking derivative, faces challenges in liquidity and risk management. Prediction markets face difficulties making breakthroughs amid regulatory uncertainty, the public chain track experiences intensified competition, and newcomers face greater barriers to breaking through.

Bitcoin ecosystem and Perp-DEX represent two sectors with relatively stable prospects—the former benefits from Bitcoin spot ETF tailwinds, while the latter relies on the persistent demand for trading. RWA (real-world assets on-chain) and stablecoins belong to the slow-growth camp, with scale expansion constrained by regulation and the maturity of application scenarios, though their long-term potential remains noteworthy.