AI rout hits software stocks, but Grayscale says blockchains stand to benefit

CoinDesk

by Will Canny

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The article highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is causing significant volatility in tech and software stocks, with investor concerns about AI's disruptive potential leading to a broad sell-off. Despite this, Grayscale's head of research, Zach Pandl, argues that blockchains and AI are complementary technologies, offering long-term opportunities for crypto assets. While markets currently view both AI and blockchain as part of the same trade, Pandl emphasizes their symbiotic relationship, suggesting that blockchains will serve as the financial backbone for intelligent agents, enabling transactions with transparency, efficiency, and global accessibility. Pandl explains that today's AI-driven chatbots primarily operate outside traditional financial systems, but as AI agents become more integrated, they are likely to transact through blockchain technology. This shift could reduce reliance on centralized banking infrastructure, offering benefits such as near-instant settlement and 24/7 availability. Additionally, blockchains can help mitigate risks associated with AI, such as data provenance issues, deepfake concerns, and the concentration of control over resources. Public blockchain networks provide verifiable records and decentralized infrastructure, countering these emerging challenges. While there are potential downsides—such as increased surveillance capabilities and vulnerabilities in smart contracts—Pandl suggests that blockchains can adapt to these risks. For instance, AI tools like OpenAI's EVMbench aim to identify and address weaknesses in blockchain systems. Despite the current market turbulence, Grayscale maintains a positive outlook on the long-term synergy between AI and blockchain technologies. This dynamic matters for crypto readers because it underscores the resilience and evolving role of blockchain technology amidst AI-driven market shifts.

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/26/2026