Citrini Research says AI agents and tokenized financial assets could reshape crypto investing by connecting blockchain with traditional financial markets and expanding onchain trading, lending, and payments.
In its October 8 report, titled Breaking The Wall: Has Blockchain Finally Reached Its Moment?, the research firm argued that AI agents could increasingly use blockchain networks to manage assets, execute transactions and interact with financial applications around the clock.
The report said this shift could make blockchain more useful by connecting tokenized financial assets with software capable of making decisions and carrying out transactions with limited human involvement.
“Blockchains have finally found their raison d’être,” Citrini wrote, arguing that the technology could become more relevant as financial assets move onchain and AI agents take on a greater role in financial activities.
For investors, the key question is which companies and protocols will benefit financially from this development.
AI Agents Enter Finance
AI agents could help consumers compare investment products, move money between accounts and manage portfolios based on their instructions.
However, traditional financial systems were largely designed for human users. Transactions often involve intermediaries, identity checks and separate platforms, making automated activity more complicated.
Recent industry developments also show growing interest in agentic finance. Coinbase introduced agentic wallets in February 2026 to support autonomous AI transactions, while Robinhood rolled out agentic accounts for crypto trading in August. These developments highlight how financial platforms are exploring ways to let AI agents interact with crypto services and execute transactions.
The report also highlighted a potential risk for banks. If millions of AI agents begin moving deposits toward accounts offering better returns, financial institutions could face pressure on their funding.
Citrini described the possibility of an “agentic bank run,” in which automated systems rapidly move money between institutions. This remains a potential scenario rather than an event the report said had already occurred.
Tokenized Assets Go Onchain
Another major part of Citrini’s argument is the growth of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). Tokenization involves representing assets such as stocks, US Treasuries, gold and debt as digital tokens on a blockchain. Depending on their structure and legal rights, these tokens can be traded, transferred or used across compatible financial applications.
Citrini said tokenization could help connect decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional financial markets. Crypto activity has historically focused heavily on native digital assets, stablecoins, and speculative trading. Tokenized financial products could expand the market by bringing more familiar investments into blockchain-based applications.
The report highlighted tokenized stocks, Treasuries, options, lending, and payments as examples of this growing ecosystem.
It also pointed to the development of tokenized equities that can interact with different applications, potentially allowing assets to move beyond the platforms where they were originally offered.
Solana and Hyperliquid Activity
Citrini pointed to Hyperliquid during the escalation of the Iran conflict in March as an example of the potential value of continuously operating crypto markets. The report said the platform became one of the few liquid venues where traders could price crude oil over a weekend.
The report also said Solana temporarily processed more trades than the New York Stock Exchange in September. However, it cautioned that much of the activity may have come from bots, meme-coin trading and other speculative transactions.
Solana is also gaining ground in tokenized equities. According to Token Terminal data reported by The Crypto Times on September 6, tokenized stocks reached a record $3.1 billion in onchain market capitalization. Solana accounted for $715.9 million, or 23.3% of the market, behind BNB Chain and Ethereum.
These developments support Citrini’s view that blockchain is moving beyond crypto speculation into traditional finance. However, higher trading activity and market value do not mean onchain markets have surpassed traditional exchanges in liquidity or institutional use.
Where Crypto Value Accrues
Citrini’s main investment argument is that the growth of tokenization will not benefit every cryptocurrency equally. Instead, the firm urged investors to examine which companies and protocols can generate revenue as more financial activity moves onchain.
Potential beneficiaries include exchanges, trading platforms, lending protocols and infrastructure providers that support transactions and settlement.
The report also discussed Coinbase and its proposed stock perpetual futures product as part of the changing financial market landscape. The product’s regulatory status and any future launch remain important factors to watch.
Citrini’s argument does not mean that rising blockchain activity will automatically push Bitcoin, Ether or other token prices higher. The outcome will depend on how individual networks and applications generate fees, compete for users and distribute economic value.
What Comes Next?
Citrini compared blockchain’s potential development with the internet, where browsers eventually made complex networking technology easier for everyday users.
Similarly, AI agents could handle some of the technical work involved in blockchain transactions, reducing the need for consumers to manage complicated wallet processes themselves.
However, security, regulatory compliance and user control will remain important challenges. The report’s broader view is that AI agents could create new demand for programmable financial infrastructure while tokenization brings more assets into blockchain-based markets.
Whether this becomes a lasting investment opportunity will depend on real-world adoption and sustainable revenue. For crypto investors, identifying which companies and protocols benefit most could be as important as tracking market growth.
Also Read: Vitalik Buterin Warns Against Rushed Wallet Moves as AI Raises Crypto Risks
