Stablecoins, real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation and the convergence of AI with blockchain are set to be among the biggest drivers of crypto adoption in 2026, according to Edul Patel, CEO of Indian crypto trading and investing platform Mudrex.
Patel identified stablecoins as a particularly strong growth area, especially for cross-border payments and remittances. “India remains the world’s largest recipient of remittances at $135 billion,” he said, noting that inefficiencies remain entrenched in the system. “Nearly $10 billion of these inflows is lost to intermediary fees and long settlement cycles.” In contrast, stablecoin-based rails enable near-instant settlement at significantly lower costs, compared to the five to seven days typically required by traditional banking systems. “This efficiency gap creates a strong structural case for adoption over time.”
Another segment gaining momentum is RWA tokenisation. Patel noted:
The tokenisation of assets such as real estate, commodities and infrastructure has the potential to unlock liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets.
He pointed to global initiatives, including Dubai’s tokenised money market funds and Maharashtra’s ₹50 trillion land asset digitisation plan, as signs of growing traction.
“As frameworks mature, RWA tokenisation could emerge as one of the more consequential use cases for blockchain.”
Regulation and Shifting Investor Behaviour
Regulation will remain a decisive factor shaping adoption next year, Mudrex CEO said. While India has developed mature exchanges and improving investor awareness, he noted that “what remains missing is regulatory clarity.” Despite this, India continues to rank among global leaders in grassroots crypto adoption.
A clear and supportive framework has the potential to position the country not just as a fast-growing market, but as a global leader in crypto adoption over time.
Investor behaviour is also evolving, particularly among retail and Gen Z participants. Patel expects a shift away from speculation toward fundamentals.
There is likely to be a stronger preference for projects with clear real-world use cases, robust fundamentals and greater transparency in areas such as token economics. This trend is already visible across segments like DeFi, gaming, Web3 and emerging AI–blockchain integrations.
AI, DEXs and Ongoing Risks
On the technology front, Patel highlighted the growing convergence of AI and blockchain. “AI-driven systems are already being used to strengthen anomaly detection, risk management and compliance,” he said, noting that when combined with blockchain’s transparency, these systems enable improved fraud detection and real-time monitoring. He also sees decentralised exchanges gaining ground as user experience improves and on-chain liquidity deepens, positioning DEXs as a key growth segment in 2026.
Despite increasing maturity across the industry, Patel cautioned that security risks and market volatility remain. “Platform selection will remain critical,” he said, urging investors to prioritise security standards and compliance. With macroeconomic and geopolitical factors likely to continue driving sharp market swings, Patel added that “a more disciplined investment approach, including systematic or staggered investments, can help investors navigate these cycles.”
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