Crypto Entrepreneurship in 2026: Moving Beyond Speculation, Deepening into 5 Value-Driven Sectors
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Crypto Entrepreneurship in 2026: Moving Beyond Speculation, Deepening into 5 Value-Driven Sectors
Now is the perfect time to build real business value in the cryptocurrency space.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Patrick Scott
Translation: Luffy, Foresight News
In every crypto cycle, there inevitably comes a time when some players exit the market and others collapse. Pessimism spreads widely, with people claiming that cryptocurrency has reached a dead end, regretting the time they've spent in the industry, and asserting that this technology is useful only for crime and speculation.
This scene repeats itself every few years.
I’m writing this article not to blindly shout “altcoin bull run is coming,” but to encourage optimism: now is an excellent moment to build real business value in the cryptocurrency space. This piece will share a series of urgently needed startup ideas—ideas whose potential extends far beyond the crypto community, are highly feasible, firmly grounded, and capable of creating immediate real-world impact.
First, it’s important to clarify: articles like this are usually written by venture capitalists, but I am not one. I don’t work at a VC firm, don’t run any investment fund, and certainly don’t qualify as an angel investor. To be perfectly clear: I cannot fund these startup ideas. If you reach out saying you want to execute one, I’ll genuinely be excited that you’re inspired—but I can’t invest. At most, if I happen to know someone relevant, I might help forward a tweet or make an introduction.
My actual background is as the founder of a successful decentralized finance media outlet, operating one of the largest DeFi-focused YouTube channels in the industry. I’ve also previously led recurring revenue product development at a top-tier DeFi data company. This context matters because many of the startup directions mentioned here stem from my firsthand experience in the field.
For the past five years, I’ve been a deep user of DeFi products. Based on hands-on experience and professional work in the industry, I have strong, well-informed views on what drives success and where hidden opportunities lie in crypto.
You might ask: if these ideas are so good, why don’t I just build them myself? On one hand, I currently lead revenue and growth at DeFiLlama, a leading DeFi analytics platform, and am already contributing meaningful value to the ecosystem. On the other hand, I do plan to pursue a few of these ideas personally—and I’d prefer readers didn’t jump into those exact spaces. But ultimately, these concepts are simply too valuable to keep private. So I’ve decided to share them, and sincerely hope someone brings them to life.
Start from First Principles to Identify Startup Opportunities
To identify truly useful startups—rather than those merely catering to crypto speculators—we must reason from first principles.
These first principles are simple: What is the real value of cryptocurrency? And where does it hold inherent advantages over traditional financial systems?
Answering these two questions allows us to move beyond gimmicks of “crypto for crypto’s sake” and escape the trap of using token incentives to drive usage of non-essential applications. Only then can we uncover the core value of crypto technology.
We must stop forcing crypto into mismatched use cases and instead seek business opportunities that naturally align with its architecture.
Here are the key advantages I’ve identified for crypto versus traditional finance—these form the foundation for identifying viable startup directions:
- Global capital mobility: Cryptocurrency enables cross-border transfers without foreign exchange fees or capital controls
- 24/7 instant settlement: Transfers settle in real time, eliminating multi-day waiting periods
- Privacy features: While not all cryptocurrencies offer this, privacy-enabled coins allow building truly censorship-resistant applications
- Extremely low transaction costs: Beyond eliminating credit card fees, low fees enable innovations like "streaming payments" that are impossible under high fixed-cost models
- Programmability and composability: Digital assets are controlled by code rather than intermediaries, enabling true self-custody and seamless movement across dApps and smart contracts
- Permissionless access: Anyone, anywhere, anytime can connect to the crypto network. This makes it ideal for groups at risk of account termination and provides a testing ground for financial products blocked by regulatory hurdles
- Transparency and traceability: Ownership and financial data on-chain are publicly verifiable, enabling automation of traditionally manual enterprise processes
Based on these core strengths, I’ve grouped the startup ideas in this article into five major categories—each built upon multiple crypto advantages:
- Internet Capital Markets: leveraging global capital mobility, programmability/composability, and permissionless access
- Censorship-resistant applications: leveraging privacy, permissionless access, and global capital mobility
- Decentralized Science (DeSci): leveraging global capital mobility and programmability/composability
- Stablecoins: encompassing all the above core advantages
- On-chain corporate governance: leveraging transparency and traceability
Internet Capital Markets
The future of cryptocurrency—and indeed, the broader future of finance and the internet—lies significantly within Internet Capital Markets.
Recently, this concept has gained a poor reputation. The reason is that many have applied meme coin mechanics to various asset types, launching products indistinguishable from meme coins—filled with poorly designed tokenomics and disguising speculation as ownership investment.
Frankly, we may need entirely new terminology for this space—but the underlying framework holds immense value.
In my view, true Internet Capital Markets aren't speculative token games, but rather mechanisms to make cash flows natively investable on the internet.
Imagine a future where not just on-chain DeFi apps, but virtually all real-world cash flows can be tokenized—stable-cash-flow businesses, dividend stocks, royalty streams, real estate projects, software applications, micro-subscription bundles, and any on- or off-chain product.
These assets become investable, tradable, and composable into new financial products—all globally accessible, permissionless, and ultra-low cost.
That is the true vision of Internet Capital Markets.
I believe the following sub-sectors urgently need on-chain fundraising tools and investor cash flow distribution platforms:
- SME financing
- Micro-software and information product financing
- Securitization of royalty income streams
- Creator revenue rights financing
When 'Friends and Family' Funding Fails, What's Next?
Traditionally, entrepreneurs raise seed capital from friends and family. Even today, this remains a primary funding method for small businesses.
But shifting social structures are rendering this model obsolete: smaller families, friends scattered globally, and relatives living across borders.
Today, raising funds from personal networks is not only administratively burdensome and legally ambiguous, but even the logistics of collecting money are increasingly difficult.
Internet Capital Markets revive the possibility of global fundraising—and apply it across diverse asset classes.
More importantly, the cash flows generated from such investments can be repackaged, combined, and embedded into new financial products. Once millions of businesses and products tokenize their cash flows, we can leverage proven DeFi primitives to build entirely new financial ecosystems atop these assets.
Censorship Resistance: An Essential Capability
Another core property of crypto assets is censorship resistance.
This stems directly from two foundational traits: permissionless access and privacy protection.
Public blockchains have achieved permissionless openness, but privacy features have long been neglected.
To be clear: my current work heavily relies on transparent on-chain data. Yet I acknowledge that in many use cases, privacy isn't just preferable—it's essential.
The Line Between Compliance and Non-compliance Is Shifting
You might think you don’t need censorship resistance. But can you be sure you’ll never need it in the future?
In parts of Europe, early signs are visible: dissidents are being suppressed, bank accounts closed, individuals arrested over social media posts.
The next step is predictable: political groups losing fundraising access, accounts frozen, payment channels completely severed.
When that day comes, how will these groups operate?
The answer is clear: through cryptocurrency networks.
The following sub-sectors are naturally suited for crypto solutions and await entrepreneurial action:
- Censorship-resistant fundraising tools for political groups: populist parties across Europe face increasing suppression. It's only a matter of time before they're cut off from banking. Crypto solutions can enable secure fundraising and storage without fear of account termination. Privacy features are critical to protect members from retaliation
- Uncensorable crowdfunding platforms: Some platforms claim to be censorship-resistant but remain dependent on payment processors. Historically, activists and governments pressure these providers to delist campaigns. A crypto-native platform operates on a decentralized network—no central point to pressure. Opponents of free speech may protest, but they'll be powerless
Decentralized Science (DeSci): Where AI Meets Internet Capital Markets
Advances in artificial intelligence are drastically lowering the barrier for individuals and small teams to conduct original scientific research.
This has already been demonstrated in breakthroughs like protein folding, where AI analyzes vast datasets and uncovers connections humans might take decades to find.
But discovery alone isn't enough—capital is required to bring research to market.
This is where Decentralized Science (DeSci) fills the gap.
Core Problems Solved by DeSci
I once worked at a nonprofit researching childhood cancer. That experience showed me how DeSci can create massive value in medical funding and research.
Many rare or niche diseases, due to small patient populations and limited short-term profitability, are ignored by big pharma. Research in these areas either depends on drug repurposing or suffers from chronic underfunding and slow progress.
With permissionless global capital markets, we can connect with people who truly care and fund these projects.
When AI and DeSci converge, individuals and small teams can realistically pursue cutting-edge science.
The most heartbreaking scenario involves rare disease patients. Globally, perhaps only 20 people suffer from a given condition, research is nearly nonexistent, and chances of formal funding are negligible.
DeSci makes such research possible—and could even yield breakthrough treatments.
This model also applies to widespread diseases currently shelved by pharmaceutical giants.
Capital Return Pathways in DeSci
Fundraising is just one part of the DeSci ecosystem. We also need mechanisms to verify results, distribute returns, package IP and royalties, and efficiently disburse earnings.
On-chain milestone-based funding releases can dramatically reduce administrative overhead, directing more capital toward actual research. Greater transparency also reassures donors about fund usage, encouraging further investment.
To boost DeSci’s investment appeal, we can adopt portfolio strategies from venture capital and film financing—one successful project covers the entire portfolio.
For example, bundle 10 high-risk, high-reward research projects. Investors diversify exposure and increase odds of breakthroughs. If one project yields a treatment, AI tools can help identify additional commercial applications.
Stablecoins: The Least Controversial Golden Opportunity
Currently, the total supply of stablecoins exceeds $300 billion, growing by hundreds of billions over the past two years.
Treasury forecasts suggest stablecoin supply could approach $3 trillion by 2030.
Conservatively, hundreds of billions in new capital will flow on-chain in the coming years; optimistically, trillions. This doesn’t even include existing on-chain capital yet to be fully utilized.
Stablecoin opportunities fall mainly into two categories: “savings” and “payments”:
Savings Applications
Globally, many people desire dollar-denominated assets—especially in developing countries.
Despite its flaws, the US dollar remains the world’s most stable and liquid settlement currency.
Using stablecoins, we can build savings products far superior to traditional finance—for example, allowing savers to customize portfolios combining currencies and commodities, while earning yield from liquidity providers’ forex trades.
Payment and Utility Applications
Stablecoin payments offer clear advantages: instant settlement, no cross-border fees, ultra-low costs, and 24/7 availability.
Multiple companies have already proven the viability of stablecoin payments.
The following areas are ideal for stablecoin payment adoption:
- Gig economy platforms: labor arbitrage often involves cross-border payments, which are costly and cumbersome via traditional banking. Stablecoins solve this seamlessly
- Cross-border remittances: wire transfers were among the first services disrupted by crypto, but gaps remain. Better services are needed to bridge the last mile between cash and crypto
- Disaster relief: distributing stablecoins directly to victims’ wallets in disaster or war zones bypasses bureaucratic red tape, corruption, and broken banking systems—ensuring aid reaches recipients instantly
Programmable Money and Streaming Payments
Another core advantage of stablecoins is programmability.
This enables continuous streaming payments instead of discrete pay cycles. Decentralized payroll protocol LlamaPay exemplifies this model.
Based on this concept, many innovative products are possible:
- Streaming payroll systems: integrate streaming payments with time-tracking software—payment starts when an employee clocks in, stops when they clock out. Wages settle per second, in real time, eliminating biweekly pay cycles and late payment risks
- Usage-based subscription software: users are increasingly fatigued by subscriptions. Software and API services can adopt pay-as-you-go models via streaming payments. This creates clearer alignment between usage and revenue, and eliminates invoices and billing overhead
On-Chain Corporate Governance: Beyond DAOs
DAO governance has become a joke within the industry—and not without reason.
Yet on-chain corporate governance may be one of crypto’s most transformative applications.
Even leaders in traditional finance recognize the value of on-chain voting: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink wrote, “Tokenization allows digital tracking of asset ownership and voting rights, enabling shareholders to vote securely and conveniently from anywhere—dramatically reducing governance costs.”
The failure of DAO governance stems from its attempt to enforce direct democracy—an approach ill-suited for corporate operations.
What Should Ideal On-Chain Governance Look Like?
Token holders often worry their tokens are worthless—and sometimes, rightly so.
But the solution isn’t letting token holders vote on every decision.
Ideal on-chain governance should mirror traditional corporate structures: clearly defined rights, minority shareholder protections, elected boards, and professional management.
Day-to-day operational decisions should never be subject to direct shareholder or token holder votes. Instead, token holders’ primary right should be electing a board, which then hires executives to manage operations. These rules can be codified on-chain—for example, granting majority token holders the right to reclaim treasury control.
The market urgently needs a product that replicates this traditional governance model on-chain.
From Crypto Governance Tools to Public Company Infrastructure
Today, thousands of crypto protocols serve as testbeds for various on-chain governance models. Once proven viable, these models can be refined and eventually adopted by traditional public companies.
In the future, we can build on-chain equity and shareholder voting systems for public companies.
Thus, a clear path emerges—from niche DAO tools to foundational infrastructure for public capital markets.
Other On-Chain Corporate Governance Products
As more companies adopt on-chain governance, demand will grow for supporting tools:
- Standardized financial disclosure tools: had standardized reporting on treasury flows, token unlocks, buybacks, and major events existed in crypto markets, many risks could have been avoided. These tools will also benefit other on-chain enterprises
- M&A platforms: as some crypto teams face financial distress, consolidation is imminent. The market needs a dedicated platform for token swaps, acquisition settlements, and treasury mergers—with full transparency
- On-chain governance onboarding tools: enable public companies to gradually pilot on-chain voting without disrupting existing governance
- Compensation management tools: automate performance bonuses, token option vesting, and other pay-related processes based on on-chain milestone verification
Compounding Effect: The Positive Feedback Loop of On-Chain Ecosystems
One of crypto’s greatest attractions in the coming years is this: every real-world cash flow brought on-chain enhances the value of DeFi’s technical architecture and amplifies the utility of all financial primitives.
Every startup idea mentioned here can create tangible value today. But the real magic will emerge when tens of millions of real-world businesses transition on-chain. Then, the financial primitives tested and refined in DeFi over the past five years will be reinvigorated—applied to external cash flows and giving rise to entirely new financial ecosystems.
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@patfscott
