According to Forbes, blockchain technology is undergoing a fundamental transformation from its cryptocurrency origins toward becoming infrastructure for autonomous AI agents and decentralized physical resource management. The article highlights how AI agents can now monitor markets, execute trades, and adapt strategies autonomously within blockchain networks, with platforms emerging that allow users to deploy these agents without deep technical expertise. Specific projects mentioned include Concrete Protocol by Blueprint Finance, which provides DeFi infrastructure for on-chain credit management, and decentralized physical infrastructure networks like XPIN Network for eSIM sharing and PiggyCell for portable charging. The convergence of these technologies represents a shift toward systems where users express goals once and autonomous agents handle execution across decentralized networks. This evolution signals a broader transition from speculative applications to practical infrastructure with real-world utility.
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The Infrastructure Revenue Model
The most significant business transformation happening here is the shift from speculative token trading to infrastructure-as-a-service revenue models. Companies like Blueprint Finance with their Concrete Protocol aren’t building another speculative DeFi protocol—they’re creating the plumbing that institutions need to participate safely in decentralized finance. This represents a fundamental change in how blockchain companies generate revenue: instead of relying on token appreciation or transaction fees from retail speculation, they’re building subscription-based, enterprise-grade services that provide predictable, recurring revenue. The real money in this next phase won’t come from trading volatility but from providing the reliable infrastructure that makes decentralized systems work for mainstream users and institutions.
The Autonomous Agent Economy
What makes this particularly compelling from a business perspective is the emergence of what I call the “agent economy.” As AI agents become more sophisticated in crypto environments, they create entirely new revenue streams. Platform providers can charge for agent deployment, monitoring, and optimization services. More importantly, these agents will generate continuous transaction volume as they autonomously manage assets, optimize yields, and execute strategies—creating a virtuous cycle where more agent activity generates more platform revenue. This moves beyond the one-time NFT sale or occasional trading fee model toward continuous, automated economic activity that benefits platform operators through multiple revenue streams.
Monetizing Physical Infrastructure
The DePIN (decentralized physical infrastructure networks) model represents perhaps the most revolutionary business opportunity. Projects like XPIN Network and PiggyCell aren’t just creating digital tokens—they’re building revenue models around real-world physical assets. When someone shares their eSIM connectivity or portable battery capacity, they’re essentially turning personal assets into revenue-generating resources. The platform captures value through transaction fees while users earn from underutilized resources. This creates a fundamentally different business model than previous blockchain iterations—one based on actual utility rather than speculative value. The companies that succeed here will be those that can efficiently match supply and demand for physical resources while maintaining minimal overhead through decentralized coordination.
The Institutional On-Ramp
What’s driving this evolution now is the clear market signal that institutional participation requires more sophisticated infrastructure. Early DeFi was too volatile and risky for traditional finance, but infrastructure layers like Concrete Protocol provide the risk management, credit systems, and portfolio tools that institutions demand. The timing is strategic—as traditional finance becomes more comfortable with digital assets, they need enterprise-grade infrastructure rather than the experimental protocols that characterized early DeFi. Companies building this infrastructure are positioning themselves as the essential intermediaries between traditional finance and decentralized systems, capturing value from both sides of the transition.
Strategic Imperatives for Success
The companies that will dominate this next phase understand that trust and reliability are their primary products. Unlike the “move fast and break things” approach of early crypto, successful infrastructure providers must prioritize security, transparency, and predictable performance. Their business models depend on becoming the trusted layer that enables more complex applications to be built on top. This requires a fundamental shift in mindset from disruption to reliability, from speculation to service provision. The winners will be those who can provide blockchain infrastructure with the same reliability expectations as cloud computing—available, scalable, and secure enough for mission-critical applications.
