After a turbulent few years, 2025 became the clearest indicator yet that Web3 is maturing — not through hype cycles, but through capital discipline, regulatory alignment, and products that actually generate revenue. And according to Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder and CEO of Mercuryo, the year ahead will push those trends even further.
1. Capital Is Flowing Again — But Only Toward Real Businesses
2025 marked the return of something many thought Web3 had lost: investor confidence.
IPOs resurfaced. Venture deals picked up. Funding rounds reopened across digital-asset infrastructure. What became evident, Kozyakov says, is that investors are no longer willing to gamble on speculative promises — they’re backing projects with clear revenue models and real customer demand.
Even with the recent sell-off in U.S. tech stocks and Bitcoin’s retracement, he expects that mindset to stay intact:
“Investors will continue to look favourably upon projects that are run responsibly and deliver genuine use cases for Web3 technology.”
Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder & CEO of Mercuryo
In other words, 2026 won’t reward noise — only execution.
2. Stablecoins: The Most Successful Real-World Use Case in Crypto
If 2025 cemented one thing, it’s the dominance of stablecoins.
They became the default tool for cross-border transfers, consumer payments, and everyday money movement. Why? Because they feel familiar, settle instantly, and work seamlessly in countries where traditional rails still fail.
Kozyakov expects this adoption to grow even stronger in 2026:
“Stablecoins remain the strongest area of real-world usage in crypto… especially for everyday transfers and cross-border payments where speed and simplicity matter most.”
Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder & CEO of Mercuryo
But he also warns: rapid growth brings systemic risks. As stablecoin velocity increases, so do expectations for transparency, collateral quality, and regulatory compliance.
3. TradFi + Web3: From Competition to Collaboration
Another major shift in 2025 was the collapse of the old “crypto vs. banks” narrative.
Payment providers, fintechs, and Web3 companies are now working side-by-side to move money with fewer steps, less friction, and lower fees. And in 2026, users won’t even think about what system processes a transfer — they’ll simply care that it works.
“In the future, most users won’t think about what system their payment runs on — only that money arrives quickly, with no extra steps.”
Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder & CEO of Mercuryo
The rails are converging, and the winners will be those who build invisible, instant, global infrastructure.
4. The Biggest Advantage in 2026: Regulation as a Product Feature
This year delivered a blunt lesson: the Web3 companies that embraced oversight won the partnerships everyone else wanted.
Major TradFi players chose regulated crypto firms — the ones with clear governance, transparency, and licensing. Kozyakov sees this accelerating:
“The Web3 businesses that move ahead will be the ones that treat good governance as part of the product.”
Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder & CEO of Mercuryo
Compliance isn’t a concession; it’s a competitive edge. And in 2026, it will determine which companies can operate globally and which remain stuck at the edges.
The Road to 2026: Clarity, Collaboration, and Compliance
Kozyakov’s outlook is unambiguous: the volatility that defined Web3’s early years is giving way to something far more durable.
Funding is returning — but only for businesses that earn it.
Stablecoins are scaling — but require stronger safeguards.
TradFi and Web3 are merging — but only through regulated onramps.
And governance is no longer a drag — it’s a prerequisite for global adoption.
In short: 2026 is the year Web3 becomes accountable. And the companies that thrive will be the ones that build not just new technology, but trust.
