BlackRock Sees Stablecoins as Key Enabler of AI-Powered Economy

BlackRock has made a bold prediction about the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and stablecoins in crypto. In a recent white paper, the research team notes that AI and blockchain technology share similarities, making the latter ideal for AI agents. Blockchain operates 24/7 without human intervention, which could make it the perfect complement to AI.

The report highlights three key overlapping opportunities at the intersection of AI and crypto: architecture, machine-to-machine payments, and AI compute. The researchers conclude that AI could serve as a structural catalyst for digital asset adoption, powering the AI economy.

Stablecoins, pegged to a commodity or currency like the US dollar, are likely to be the leading choice for agentic commerce. Research from the Bitcoin Policy Institute also supports this claim, indicating that AI model outputs favor stablecoins for daily payments.

The report suggests that digital tokens could be used as AI compute, becoming an 'investable economic resource.' They can price and allocate capacity, and carry out activities such as financing and hedging. This has significant implications for the future of crypto and its relationship with AI.