Beyond speculation: How Blockchain and AI are reshaping finance

Beyond speculation: How Blockchain and AI are reshaping finance - Tenity Insights from Davos 2025

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From speculation to transformation

For many, the journey into blockchain starts with speculation—buying, trading, and hoping to strike it rich. But as the dust settles, what remains is the true power of blockchain and AI: a revolution in digital finance, ownership, and decentralized technology.‍

In this special episode of Innovation Connected, recorded at the World Economic Forum in Davos, host Max Plank speaks with Konrad Marino, part of the leadership team at Near Foundation.

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Together, they explore:

- The evolution of blockchain from hype to real-world use cases
- The intersection of AI and Web3, and how it’s shaping the future of the internet
- Geopolitical shifts impacting regulation, adoption, and talent in the crypto space

If you’re looking beyond speculation and want to understand where blockchain and AI are actually making an impact, this conversation is for you.

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Losing money, gaining perspective: A crypto reality check

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Like many others, Konrad’s introduction to blockchain wasn’t through technology or innovation: it was through crypto trading.

"I tried to get rich trading crypto… and lost all my money."

That loss led him to explore what really makes blockchain valuable—not just tokens, but the infrastructure that enables trustless transactions, decentralized data, and financial inclusion on a global scale. His career transition from investment banking at Société Générale to the Near Foundation is a testament to the shifting landscape of finance, where traditional institutions and decentralized systems are increasingly intersecting.

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Near Foundation's origins: AI first, Blockchain second

Surprisingly, Near Foundation wasn’t originally a blockchain company. Founder Illia Polosukhin, a prominent AI researcher, faced a unique challenge:

"He struggled to pay AI developers globally because of banking limitations. That’s when he turned to blockchain as a solution."

What started as a side project to solve a payments problem evolved into one of the most scalable and reliable blockchain networks in existence today. Now, as AI takes center stage again, Near Foundation is circling back to its roots, working to integrate AI-driven automation and blockchain-powered ownership models into everyday applications.

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Blockchain + AI: More than just a buzzword

While blockchain and AI are converging across the industry, Near’s competitive advantage lies in deep AI expertise.

"Near has never had downtime. Now, we are combining our blockchain expertise with AI to give users more control over their data."

Key focus areas include:

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- AI-powered blockchain interactions – Personalized AI agents handling transactions
- User-owned internet – Removing centralized control over personal data
- Scalability without compromise – Blockchain that’s both efficient and accessible

With Illia Polosukhin as one of the co-authors of the foundational Transformer paper (which powers models like GPT), Near is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.

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Where is Blockchain adoption booming?

One of the biggest debates in Web3 is whether the focus should be on onboarding new users or ensuring that the technology is actually being used in meaningful ways.

"It’s not just about getting new users. It's about real adoption—people using blockchain in their daily lives."

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So where is blockchain adoption happening at scale?

- Asia – Singapore and Hong Kong continue to lead in fintech adoption
- Switzerland – A regulatory pioneer that attracted major blockchain foundations
- United States – Making a comeback with crypto-friendly policies under new leadership

However, with crypto regulations still evolving, projects must navigate jurisdictional arbitrage to determine the best locations for launching, scaling, and maintaining compliance.

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Geopolitics & The new Crypto arms race

It’s impossible to talk about blockchain without addressing geopolitical tensions—especially as AI and crypto become more intertwined.

"There is a geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China, and we’re seeing that in AI chip access."

The fight for dominance in AI chips, infrastructure, and regulatory control is directly shaping how blockchain projects are built and scaled. While Silicon Valley remains a hub for talent, Near is leveraging remote work and decentralized collaboration to ensure that the best minds, regardless of location, can contribute to blockchain’s evolution.

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Meme coins, tokenized culture & the future of Web3

So, what’s next for blockchain and AI in 2025 and beyond? Konrad predicts three major trends:

1️- The Americanization of Crypto – With the U.S. re-entering the market, regulatory shifts will drive new adoption trends.
2️- AI + Blockchain Integration – Expect to see AI-powered smart contracts, automated transactions, and decentralized AI agents.
3️- Tokenized Culture & Meme Coins – Communities will continue monetizing attention through tokenized economies.

"Memes, AI, and blockchain are coming together in ways we never imagined before."

Will meme coins become a new financial asset class, or are they just another speculative cycle? The answer will depend on how the next phase of adoption unfolds.

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Conclusion: the next chapter for Blockchain & AI

Beyond speculation, blockchain and AI are actively transforming how digital finance works—but the road ahead is still being paved.

With more institutional involvement, clearer regulations, and increasing real-world applications, Web3 is no longer just a fringe movement—it’s becoming a core part of the financial and technological landscape.

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For more insights into fintech investment trends, corporate venture capital, and startup growth strategies, subscribe to Innovation. Connected – World Economic Forum Davos 2025 Edition.

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