Davos 2026: AI Compute, Tokenization, Metals Back at Highs
What Was Discussed at WEF Davos
This week’s World Economic Forum hit the usual themes—regulation, infrastructure, and the U.S.’s role. On digital assets, most of the talk centered on stablecoins and tokenization.
- Donald Trump: in a fiery tone—declared victory over inflation, promised tariffs and U.S. energy dominance, took shots at Europe and China, and urged business to stop “sitting on the fence” and invest.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: confirmed the plan to form a state BTC reserve. Sales of seized coins are halted; after restitution, confiscated assets will be added to a digital reserve. The broader goal: bring crypto back to the U.S. with clear rules and support for innovation.
- CZ: tokenization appeals to governments as a fast way to monetize assets; crypto will become the “currency” for AI agents; crypto infrastructure is more stress-resilient than banks; branches go digital; there won’t be a one-size-fits-all regulatory model—each country will choose its own.
BlackRock on 2026: Where Capital Is Going
BlackRock’s “Thematic Outlook 2026” maps the themes where big money sees growth. Core bets:
- AI & Compute. Software hype shifts to hardware: data centers, chips, power.
- Pipes & Power. Grids and energy as the chokepoint for AI and EVs; gas as a key transition fuel.
- Defense & Security. Defense, cybersecurity, space amid geopolitics.
- Tokenization & Digital Assets. A new access layer to markets:
Bitcoin — institutional exposure via ETFs.
Ethereum — the base layer for tokenization and yield.
BlackRock notes tokenization is a multi-trillion-dollar market still in its early innings.
Ethereum stands to benefit: ~65% of tokenized assets already live on its chain.
Facts from BlackRock:
- Investment in AI infrastructure could exceed $100T by 2040.
- Crypto is “growing up”: emphasis on payments and stablecoins.
- iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) hit $70B AUM in 341 trading days — a record.
Ripple on Crypto in 2026
Ripple leadership expects crypto to stop being alternative and become part of the core financial system:
- Stablecoins become the standard for 24/7 settlement (B2B, quasi-cash, collateral). Corporate payments are already $76B/year, freeing up working capital.
- Institutional adoption accelerates: >$1T in digital assets on corporate balance sheets by end-2026; up to 50% of the Fortune 500 with full crypto strategies. Crypto ETFs (just 1–2% of U.S. ETF market today) still have big upside; 5–10% of capital-markets settlement moves on-chain.
- Maturity via M&A: deal volume already $8.6B; custody becomes the anchor of institutional infrastructure; major banks adopt multi-custody models.
- Blockchain × AI: automating finance. Stablecoins/smart contracts handle real-time settlement and collateral; AI manages RWA rebalancing; ZK tech enhances privacy and reduces regulatory risk.
NYSE: 24/7 Trading in Tokenized Securities
The New York Stock Exchange is developing a platform to trade stocks and ETFs 24/7 with instant, on-chain settlement: fractional shares, stablecoin payments, immediate delivery. Another bridge between TradFi and on-chain infrastructure—and a potential channel of liquidity into crypto.
Metals Fresh ATHs
Amid geopolitical tension, metals added nearly $4T in market cap in January.
- Silver: +30%
- Gold: +9%
What Investors Can Do
Build an “nfrastructure basket: AI compute, energy, security—plus tokenization/RWA and stablecoins as the settlement layer.
HODL. Fixed returns up to 20% APY, weekly payouts, flexible terms—to smooth volatility while compounding.
Moonrider. Need working liquidity against collateral? Take multiple loans in one click while earning bonuses and ecosystem points.
Exchange. Fast buys/swaps at competitive rates—for precise rebalancing in motion.
Add risk limits and discipline—and your portfolio is ready for an infrastructure-driven 2026.