Privacy as the Main Trend in Cryptocurrencies in 2026: Predictions from Andreessen Horowitz and Latest Developments

According to a recent report from the venture fund Andreessen Horowitz (a16z crypto), transaction speed and low fees have already become standard for most networks, so it is privacy that will determine who dominates the market. Without it, the mass transition of financial systems to blockchain will remain impossible, as public ledgers make data vulnerable to analysis and leaks.

From Speed to Confidentiality

As noted in the a16z analysis, privacy is what truly differentiates one blockchain from another. In public networks, users can easily migrate between ecosystems since data is open. However, in private networks, any transition increases the risk of identity disclosure through metadata such as time and transaction size. This creates a "lock-in" effect for users, enhancing loyalty and network effects. As a result, universal blockchains without unique advantages will lose relevance, and a few private networks could capture the lion's share of the market.

These predictions are confirmed by current trends. For example, Elliptic in its regulatory forecast for 2026 highlights five key trends, including strengthened sanctions and rules for stablecoins in the US, which require better confidentiality for compliance. Similarly, Pantera Capital and Subzero Labs emphasize that without privacy, global blockchain adoption will remain limited, especially for institutional players.

The Future of Messengers and Decentralized Protocols

a16z also draws attention to the evolution of messengers: simple encryption is insufficient, as centralized servers can be shut down or forced to disclose data. The solution lies in decentralized protocols without a single point of control, where users own messages through cryptographic keys, rather than through apps. This makes communication resilient to quantum threats and censorship.

In real projects, this is already being implemented. ZKsync, for example, announced that 2025 was dedicated to transitioning privacy from theory to product with the launch of Prividiums, a technology based on zero-knowledge proofs.

In 2026, the focus is on institutional adoption, which could accelerate mass acceptance. Users on X are actively discussing this as "alpha" for 2026, alongside perp DEX, predictions, and DeFi.

Secrets as Infrastructure and a New Level of Security

Sensitive data cannot be entrusted to a "trust the service" model – on-chain access rules are needed. The concept of "secrets-as-a-service" turns privacy into basic infrastructure, with client-side encryption and decentralized key management. This unlocks innovations for industries like finance and healthcare.

Regarding security, a16z predicts a shift from "code is law" to "spec is law," where AI-assisted testing and runtime protections will automatically block dangerous transactions. Audits are no longer sufficient for complex exploits – architecture must be secure from the ground up.

Additional trends from research: Forbes highlights institutionalization, tokenization, and stablecoin infrastructure as key for 2026, where privacy plays a central role. Grayscale in its outlook notes the growth of confidential transactions on platforms like Ethereum (ERC-7984) and Solana. The Stellar project is preparing for the launch of Protocol 25 on January 22, 2026, with ZK-proofs and confidential assets, which will attract institutions for RWA and stablecoins. COTI predicts a "supercycle of privacy," where privacy-focused assets will outperform the market.

Privacy - the Path to Dominance

2026 could be a turning point for the crypto industry, where privacy not only protects users but also creates economic barriers for competitors. Projects like ZKsync, Stellar, and Rialo are already building this infrastructure, focusing on compliance and scale. For investors and developers, this is a signal: ignoring privacy means falling behind the trend. Stay tuned for updates, as crypto is evolving faster than ever.