Coinbase Bets on RWA Perpetuals, DeFi and the AI Onchain in 2026

TLDR

• RWA perpetuals redefine asset access, merging crypto with real finance.
• Coinbase bets big on DeFi composability to boost capital efficiency.
• AI onchain to automate contracts and accelerate Web3 innovation.
• Unsecured onchain credit and privacy tools set stage for DeFi growth.
• 2026 marks turning point as blockchain bridges traditional finance.

Coinbase Ventures outlined its 2026 strategy with a strong focus on RWA perpetuals, DeFi expansion, and AI onchain innovation. The firm aims to accelerate infrastructure that merges traditional finance efficiency with blockchain adaptability. Moreover, the company expects these sectors to define the next growth cycle for digital assets.

RWA Perpetuals Redefine On-chain Exposure

Coinbase identified RWA perpetuals as the next phase in synthetic asset trading. These instruments enable onchain exposure to real-world assets without needing physical collateral. Traders can access markets tied to commodities, credit spreads, and macroeconomic indicators directly through perpetual contracts.

The firm anticipates that this shift will reshape how users interact with off-chain assets. By simplifying market access, RWA perpetuals can improve liquidity and speed across decentralized platforms. Therefore, the model positions crypto infrastructure as a key component of broader financial markets.

Coinbase expects perpetual markets to support diversified trading strategies. As on-chain markets mature, participants can hedge, speculate, and manage risk more efficiently. This integration reinforces the company’s bet on synthetic financial innovation.

DeFi Enters a New Phase of Composability

Coinbase’s 2026 outlook emphasizes next-generation DeFi models that combine yield generation with leveraged trading. The firm foresees perpetual markets linking with lending protocols to maximize capital efficiency. This convergence enables users to earn returns on collateral while maintaining active positions.

Coinbase predicts unsecured on-chain credit will gain momentum. By blending decentralized reputation systems with real-world data, new lending models could unlock massive liquidity. This development could transform DeFi into a core layer of global finance.

The company also highlighted privacy as a strategic priority for decentralized finance. It expects demand for private transactions, lending, and payments to rise sharply. Through privacy-preserving tools, DeFi can maintain transparency while protecting users’ data from unwanted exposure.

AI Onchain Expands Crypto’s Technological Frontier

Coinbase sees AI on-chain as a catalyst for the next wave of crypto innovation. The firm expects AI tools to automate smart contract development, enhance security, and speed up deployment. These advances will empower founders to build on-chain applications in hours rather than months.

The company anticipates blockchain will play a key role in robotics and data collection. Decentralized networks could support incentivized systems for gathering real-world data crucial to AI models. Thus, AI on-chain becomes a bridge between digital infrastructure and emerging physical technologies.

Coinbase’s investment strategy reflects its confidence in blockchain’s capacity to scale across industries. Through RWA perpetuals, DeFi, and AI on-chain integration, the company aims to drive crypto’s next era of growth. The focus marks 2026 as a pivotal year for blockchain maturity and institutional adoption.

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