Sky Wee is the founding partner of Sky Ventures and partner of ATF Capital.
When cryptocurrency first appeared in 2009, it was dismissed by many as a curiosity—an internet experiment with little chance of competing against established financial systems. Yet, more than a decade later, blockchain has become what I see as one of the defining technologies of our time. It’s a market that is expected to be worth more than $390 billion by 2030, has captured the attention of central banks and multinational corporations, and it is reshaping conversations about how money, data and even infrastructure should be managed in a digital age.
What I believe sets blockchain apart is its ability to evolve. Each wave of adoption has built on the one before, showing how a system designed for peer-to-peer payments can expand into entire industries. First came finance, then infrastructure, and now a new chapter is emerging with the rise of AI and autonomous digital agents.
DeFi: From Experiment To Parallel Finance
The first large-scale proof that blockchain could support complex systems came with decentralized finance, often shortened to “DeFi.” Instead of relying on banks or brokers, DeFi protocols use smart contracts to allow digital wallet holders to borrow, lend, trade or earn yield. The sector hit a three-year high in July, when it reached $153 billion in total value locked, and has created a parallel financial ecosystem that functions around the clock and without borders.
DeFi has matured since its early days. For instance, I’ve observed some platforms now integrate with established lending protocols such as Aave and Compound, while also offering protections against liquidation. I’m now seeing a broader movement to make DeFi not only innovative but also more robust and accessible for larger institutions and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
The rise of DeFi also highlighted the need for reliable data. Platforms such as CryptoRank emerged to provide analytics on token unlocks, fundraising and project performance, which can help investors and builders alike make sense of a fast-moving market. This layer of transparency is vital to turn DeFi from a niche experiment into a more trusted financial framework.
DePIN: Coordinating The Physical World
Blockchain’s potential extends beyond markets. A category known as decentralized physical infrastructure networks, or DePIN, has begun to apply the same principles of coordination and incentives to real-world resources. These networks enable people to contribute tangible assets—such as bandwidth, computing devices, energy or storage—and be rewarded for their participation.
The concept shifts infrastructure away from being controlled solely by large corporations. While still early, DePIN projects show how blockchain can underpin services people rely on daily.
AI Agents: Intelligence On The Network
As blockchain continues to evolve, AI has entered the picture as another force. AI models require enormous amounts of compute power and data—resources I believe DePIN networks are well-positioned to supply. But beyond infrastructure, a new idea is beginning to take hold: autonomous AI agents.
These agents are not just chatbots but digital entities capable of acting on their own. They can make decisions, interact with platforms and even transact within blockchain systems. By combining AI with blockchain, these agents create the possibility of self-sustaining systems that can operate without constant human oversight.
The Road Ahead
Blockchain’s story is one of constant reinvention. It began with digital money, expanded into decentralized finance and is now laying the foundation for infrastructure and intelligent systems. Each stage has pushed the boundaries of what decentralization can achieve: from moving capital efficiently to coordinating physical resources to enabling AI agents that act on behalf of their users.
If the first decade of blockchain was about proving that decentralized systems could work, I believe the next may be about scaling into everyday life. Finance was the starting point. Infrastructure and intelligence may be where the true impact lies.
For business leaders, the key takeaway is that blockchain is no longer a single-industry technology. Its evolution means leaders must prepare for cross-sector disruption. The challenge will be balancing innovation with trust. Moving forward, blockchain leaders will need to place a high priority on ensuring security, compliance and usability keep pace with experimentation. Those who succeed will be the ones who not only build novel systems but also earn the confidence of users, regulators and global partners.
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