Former Coinbase CTO Explains How Crypto Will Rule The AI-Driven Future

As an experienced financial analyst, I find Balaji S. Srinivasan’s perspective on the future of cryptocurrency and AI intriguing and thought-provoking. His belief that “money after AI is crypto” underscores the transformative shift in how we understand and use money in a technologically advanced world.


Balaji S. Srinivasan, a former CTO of Coinbase and well-known investor, recently expressed his views on the future of cryptocurrency on X (previously known as Twitter). In his opinion, cryptocurrencies will occupy a pivotal position during an epoch marked by advanced generative AI and robotics. Furthermore, Srinivasan proposed that cryptocurrencies would serve as the foundation for the development of AI technology.

Ex-Coinbase CTO On Crypto & AI’s Future

A previous executive at Coinbase makes the case that “in a technologically advanced future marked by AI and robotics-driven abundance, cryptocurrencies will become indispensable due to their inherent scarcity.” Srinivasan emphasizes this perspective, asserting that our relationship with money will undergo a significant change.

Srinivasan pointed out that in this era of AI profusion, the uniqueness of cryptocurrency lies in its scarcity. This scarcity will serve as a significant marker separating human activities from artificial intelligence, particularly when advanced AI systems can effortlessly mimic human behaviors. One of the essential aspects Srinivasan emphasized was the economic transactions between humans and robots.

As a researcher studying the intersection of technology and economics, I came across an interesting point made by the former CTO of Coinbase. He explained that while you don’t have to pay your personally owned robot, you will need to compensate for services rendered by robots controlled by other economic entities. In this context, cryptocurrencies could function as a medium of exchange, enabling access and utilization of these robots.

As a crypto investor, I’ve come to realize that while some forms of scarcity may lessen over time, others will continue to be a challenge. For instance, the infrastructure required to construct and operate advanced technologies such as robots and AI data centers will always be in limited supply. To put it simply, the resources needed to build these complex machines and the energy sources to power them will remain scarce.

Incorporation Of Digital Keys In AI

In the era of sophisticated machines, the ability to command them will rely heavily on secure digital access codes. As stated by Srinivasan from Coinbase, “The essential limitation in the AI epoch is the exclusive ownership of the digital keys that govern robot control.” He further emphasized that Web3 technologies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, offer robust security solutions for managing these critical keys.

He also stresses that although AI generates digital wealth, it doesn’t eliminate all kinds of shortages. “AI represents digital richness, yet it doesn’t ensure an endless supply. Cryptocurrencies embody digital scarcity and supplement the digital prosperity brought by AI,” he explained.

Essentially, Srinivasan’s outlook envisions a future in which cryptocurrency plays a pivotal role beyond merely financial uses, becoming a fundamental element in economic exchanges. This perspective highlights the ongoing transformation of money and technology. In other words, as AI advances, so will the demand for secure, limited, and adaptable forms of currency like cryptocurrencies.

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2024-06-15 15:20