From Memecoins to Machines: Web3 Fundamentals Return in 2026
Web3 is shifting from speculation to fundamentals, driven by DePIN and the emerging machine economy where autonomous agents transact.Summary
In 2026, the crypto industry is seeing a return to fundamentals after years dominated by speculation, as proven by 2025's focus on real-world utility. Leonard Dorlöchter, co-founder of peaq, notes that protocol revenue is now central to project evaluation, largely due to Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), which are demonstrating measurable revenue generation by connecting IoT devices to tokens.
Dorlöchter defines the machine economy as autonomous devices, robots, or agents transacting with each other or humans. Significant progress in standardization occurred in the past year, enabling agents to discover and interact across systems, moving this foundational work into production. He emphasizes that blockchain is the key enabling technology for building neutral global infrastructure.
Looking forward, Dorlöchter anticipates an increase in autonomous agents transacting on-chain, independently earning and purchasing resources necessary for their operation, while stressing that decentralization must remain foundational despite accelerating regulation and mainstream adoption.
(Source：Cointelegraph)