Toward 2026: Real Blockchain Use Cases

Toward 2026: from proofs of concept to real use cases

Overview

What does 2025 leave behind and what is coming in 2026 for blockchain? In this MERGE Madrid closing panel, Allfunds, Weevex, zkSync and Alastria reflect on the year and share their projections: moving beyond proofs of concept to talk about real use cases, the value of public-private collaboration, the role of stablecoins and the leadership of “brand Spain”.

What you'll learn

• From theory to reality: why it's no longer about PoCs but about real use cases
• Collaborative models: why working in silos doesn't work and why trust is key
• Blockchain as an enabling layer: the idea of blockchain as invisible “cement”
• Blockchain + AI: how blockchain can bring guarantees to artificial intelligence
• Stablecoins and interoperability: why there won't be a single digital currency
• Brand Spain: the public blockchain infrastructure and the 2030 projections

Session summary

Taking stock of 2025: the panel highlights the arrival of “new faces” and real use cases, versus years focused on the technical side, with regulators and public administrations at the table; it stresses that the technology already works and that it's time to move from proofs of concept to value-adding solutions.

Collaborative models: Allfunds argues that the technology's value emerges when it is “cross” and collaborative, with examples of joint work between institutions (including the CNMV) and without the barriers of the past, versus the failure of working in silos.

Blockchain as an enabling layer: it shares the idea that blockchain should become invisible (the “cement” that holds other things up) and that the mistake was over-explaining the technical “how” instead of the value for the user.

Blockchain + AI: Weevex argues that blockchain can bring guarantees and traceability to technologies like AI, recalling the tendency to overestimate the immediate impact of each novelty and the importance of focusing on the end benefit.

Infrastructure and privacy: zkSync stresses the role of infrastructure (including open-source tools and real-world assets) and privacy as a major user pain point; Alastria presents Spain's first public blockchain services infrastructure, with multiple use cases.

Stablecoins, interoperability and brand Spain: it warns about the “hype” of issuing stablecoins without a clear use case and advocates interoperability between different forms of digital money (digital euro, wholesale CBDC, tokenized deposits, stablecoins); it closes with an optimistic message about Spain's leadership, citing sector-report projections to 2030.

Watch the full talk

Watch the full recording on MERGE's YouTube channel, with Allfunds, Weevex, zkSync and Alastria on the projections for 2026.

FAQs

What is the sector's big shift, according to the panel?
Moving from proofs of concept to real, value-adding use cases, with collaborative models and public-private collaboration.

Why do they say blockchain should “become invisible”?
Because, according to the panel, the user doesn't need to understand the underlying technology, just as they don't understand how an instant payment works: it should be easy and transparent.

Will there be a single digital currency?
No; the panel expects multiple forms of digital money (digital euro, CBDC, tokenized deposits, stablecoins) that will need to be interoperable.

Is this investment advice?
No. This content is informational and summarizes opinions and projections expressed in the panel; it does not constitute investment advice. Consult a professional for your specific situation.