The core focuses for blockchain in 2026 are RWA, L2/scaling, AI + blockchain, and privacy computing. Below are key projects and rationale to watch:
I. RWA (Real World Assets) Sector
• Centrifuge: On-chain credit rails, focusing on on-chain underwriting and transparent risk pricing for institutional-grade RWA, with emphasis on default performance and institutional trading flows.
• Blackrock (BUIDL): An Ethereum-based tokenized money market fund, tracking the inflow of funds into tokenized treasuries, backed by strong institutional credibility.
II. Ethereum L2 and Scaling Sector
• Base: Coinbase's L2, integrating DeFi, trading, commerce, and USDC payments. If Base Token is launched, it could drive liquidity and ecosystem growth.
• Megalabs (MegaETH): a high-performance Ethereum-compatible L2, aiming to elevate blockchain performance to Web2-level real-time processing standards.
• Brevis: built around an “infinite computing layer” intelligent engine to improve on-chain computation efficiency and reduce complex contract costs.
III. AI + blockchain track
• Gensyn: a decentralized AI open network that aggregates globally idle computing power for AI training, addressing the issues of compute cost and supply; steady funding and technical progress.
• Nexchain AI: combines AI and blockchain, offering shared compute, automated smart contract execution, and layered infrastructure—aligned with the trend toward technical convergence.
IV. Privacy computing and DeFi infrastructure
• Zama: focusing on the cryptographic infrastructure of fully homomorphic encryption, enabling encrypted data on-chain to be “usable but not visible.” The 2026 TGE is worth watching.
• Infinex: an all-stack DeFi super-app initiated by the founder of Synthetix, aiming to narrow the experience gap between CEX and DeFi.
• Rails/StandX: a decentralized perpetual contract DEX that optimizes trading experience and liquidity, suitable for users who prefer derivatives.
V. Payments and the public-chain ecosystem
• Stellar (XLM): protocol 25 goes live on Jan 22. Native support for zero-knowledge proofs, bridging privacy and compliance. Already integrated with giants like PayPal and Visa, with strong potential for cross-border payment use cases.
• Rainbow (RNBW): a Web3 wallet that blends DeFi value with traditional equity exposure. It supports long-term value through real-time buybacks and the foundation’s holdings, with a Feb 5 TGE.
VI. Focus logic and risk warnings
• Focus on logic: prioritize projects with tangible deployment scenarios, institutional backing, and technical moats. For RWA, assess the authenticity of underlying assets and compliance; for L2, evaluate performance and ecosystem activity; for AI + blockchain, look at the capability to integrate compute.