BlackRock Says AI Compute Could Become a Major New Demand Engine for Digital Assets

BlackRock argues that the rapid expansion of AI could create a major new source of demand for digital assets.
In a new research paper, the firm highlights compute as an emerging intersection between AI infrastructure and blockchain-based financial markets.
BlackRock says hyperscaler cloud revenue could potentially reach roughly $1.1 trillion by 2030 as demand for AI compute continues to accelerate.
One possible next step is turning compute itself into an on-chain market.
Blockchains could allow AI agents to discover available computing capacity, finance it and pay providers in real time, dynamically matching supply with demand.
BlackRock also expects AI agents to increasingly make autonomous payments and transactions without constant human involvement.
That could increase demand for machine-native financial infrastructure including stablecoins, tokenized assets and blockchain settlement rails.
The broader thesis is that AI adoption may not just benefit chipmakers and data centers. It could also create an entirely new layer of digital-asset utility built around compute, payments and autonomous economic activity.