Regulation to Define 2026: DYdX’s Charles d’Haussy Predicts Domestic DATs and Blockchain Governed AI

Charles d’Haussy, CEO of the DYdX Foundation, outlines eight major trends he believes will shape digital assets, DeFi, and AI in 2026.

The Rise of Onshore Digital Asset Treasuries

Charles d’Haussy, CEO of the DYdX Foundation, has released a series of predictions outlining how digital assets, decentralized finance, and artificial intelligence (AI) may evolve in 2026. His outlook highlights regulatory shifts, institutional adoption and the growing convergence between blockchain and AI systems.

His first prediction concerns digital asset treasuries (DATs), which he said are poised to move their core infrastructure onshore as regulatory expectations tighten. d’Haussy said the future of DATs is “domestic,” with firms increasingly building proprietary validator networks inside the countries where they are registered.

This shift is driven by regulatory pressure and institutional demand for clearer compliance frameworks. Operating validator networks domestically, he said, reduces legal uncertainty around yield-generation services and helps treasuries avoid the “grey zone” associated with global, retail-focused staking pools.

d’Haussy argues the domestic model gives institutions greater confidence that DATs are adhering to local securities laws, particularly as regulators scrutinize offshore staking arrangements and cross-border custody practices. By keeping infrastructure within national jurisdictions, treasuries can demonstrate stronger oversight and more predictable compliance.

In Europe, he expects a competitive race for a digital euro. Ten major banks are preparing to launch Qivalis, a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)-regulated euro stablecoin slated for 2026. d’Haussy said the consortium could establish a market standard before the European Central Bank’s own digital euro is released.

He also predicts a shift toward native tokenization, with stock exchanges embedding compliance frameworks such as ERC-3643 directly into digital assets. According to d’Haussy, this approach eliminates the need for “digital twin” models and provides clearer legal protections for shareholder rights and asset transfers.

Consolidation and ‘Regulatory Moats in Prediction Markets

On prediction markets, which have made significant headway in the U.S., d’Haussy forecasts a wave of consolidation. Larger U.S. firms are increasingly seeking global reach and liquidity by acquiring smaller, compliant regional platforms. This trend is already visible in high-stakes moves such as Draftkings’ October 2025 acquisition of Railbird, a federally licensed exchange. That deal provided the betting giant with the immediate regulatory infrastructure needed to launch its own “DraftKings Predictions” platform.

Similarly, Polymarket recently acquired QCEX, a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)-licensed derivatives exchange and clearinghouse, in a $112 million deal designed to solidify its legal standing and expansion within the U.S. market. d’Haussy notes that these acquisitions are not just about market share, but about securing “regulatory moats” that allow platforms to operate at scale. As major players like Fanduel (in partnership with CME Group) and Robinhood move aggressively into the space, the sector is positioned for rapid expansion, driven by institutional demand for crowd-driven, real-time intelligence.

Read more: Polymarket Approved to Relaunch: What It Means for Prediction Markets

In Africa, he pointed to M-Pesa as a potential catalyst for financial inclusion if the mobile money giant integrates or launches a stablecoin by 2026. Such a move could give more than 50 million users access to global payments and remittances.

Turning to decentralized perpetual exchanges, d’Haussy said these platforms are positioned to outpace centralized exchanges in new trading activity as the market shifts toward more capital-efficient systems. He said the next wave of growth will be driven by composability, a design feature that allows users to earn yield on their collateral while it is simultaneously used to back a leveraged perpetual position.

According to d’Haussy, this dual-use model transforms a perpetuals exchange into an integrated money market, enabling traders to deploy capital more efficiently than on traditional centralized platforms. He said the approach could mark one of the most significant structural improvements in decentralized finance, particularly as institutions seek higher-performance, onchain trading infrastructure.

He also expects the emergence of a broader “machine economy,” driven in part by ERC-8004, a new standard designed to give artificial intelligence (AI) agents verifiable on-chain identity and reputation. The framework would allow autonomous systems to authenticate themselves, build trust over time, and execute secure micropayments without human intervention. d’Haussy said this capability will enable AI agents to participate directly in Web3 commerce—from settling small transactions to interacting with decentralized applications—laying the groundwork for high-frequency, machine-to-machine economic activity.

Finally, d’Haussy said closed AI models operated by major technology companies will face increasing regulatory scrutiny. He predicts that blockchain-based governance and open-source transparency will become essential for broad adoption, arguing that “trust and compliance” will define the next phase of AI development.

FAQ ❓

• What is Charles d’Haussy predicting for digital asset treasuries in 2026? He says DATs will shift to domestic validator networks to meet tightening regulatory and institutional compliance demands.
• Why does he believe Europe will be a key battleground? He expects Qivalis, a bank‑backed MiCA‑regulated euro stablecoin, to compete directly with the ECB’s Digital Euro.
• How does he see global crypto markets evolving? He forecasts major consolidation in prediction markets and rapid growth in decentralized perpetual exchanges driven by capital‑efficient composability.
• What role will AI and blockchain convergence play? He predicts ERC‑8004 will enable a machine economy where AI agents transact autonomously, pushing the industry toward open‑source, blockchain‑governed models.