Franklin Templeton's head of digital assets warned this week that investors who focus only on AI stocks could miss the next phase of the artificial intelligence boom. The executive argued that cryptocurrencies and altcoins are necessary to capture the value generated by autonomous AI agents transacting onchain.
The warning from Franklin Templeton
In a statement, the head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton said the current investment narrative around AI is too narrow. While AI stocks have performed well, the next wave of value creation may come from the intersection of AI and blockchain technology. The executive specifically pointed to autonomous AI agents that can transact onchain as a key area where crypto assets will play a role.
Autonomous agents and onchain value
According to the executive, autonomous AI agents are programs that can operate independently and execute transactions on blockchain networks. As these agents become more prevalent, the economic activity they generate will be recorded onchain. The native tokens of those networks, including cryptocurrencies and altcoins, will capture that value. Investors without exposure to these assets may not benefit from this emerging economic layer.
A broader investment view
The remarks suggest that a diversified approach to AI investing should include digital assets. The executive argued that the AI boom is not just about hardware and software companies, but also about the decentralized infrastructure that enables autonomous agents to transact. This perspective challenges the view that crypto is separate from the AI trend.
Franklin Templeton's head of digital assets made the remarks this week, adding to the ongoing discussion about the role of crypto in the next phase of AI development.
