Fidelity flags AI value risk for crypto
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- Fidelity Digital Assets said cheaper AI development could increase crypto activity without creating equal value for tokens.
- AI agents settled more than $73 million across about 176 million blockchain transactions through April.
- Fidelity said banks, fintechs and stablecoin issuers could capture more value than base-layer tokens.
Fidelity Digital Assets said AI could drive crypto activity but may not increase token value.
AI agents settled more than $73 million across about 176 million blockchain transactions in the year through April.
“As AI lowers barriers to development and participation, competitive advantages may increasingly reside in liquidity, distribution, security, trust, and regulatory integration rather than technology alone,” Fidelity Digital Assets analyst Max Wadington wrote.
Fidelity said easier AI development could create more crypto applications without guaranteeing user demand or product-market fit.
The report said AI agents could choose banks, fintechs or technology companies instead of public blockchains if they offer lower costs.
Fidelity also said stablecoin issuers and service providers could capture more value from AI payments than base-layer tokens.
The report said trading, lending and borrowing could offer stronger value-capture opportunities, while AI could also increase security risks.
