Stablecoins & the Future Financial System

a16z Crypto General Partners Ali Yahya, Arianna Simpson, and Erik Torenberg break down what’s actually working in crypto today - starting with the rise of stablecoins as a real-world payments layer. They discuss how stablecoins are being adopted by companies like Stripe and SpaceX, why regulatory shifts are opening new doors for crypto startups, and how AI and crypto are beginning to intersect. They also cover: - The future of decentralized social networks - Where Ethereum, Solana, and others stand today - Misconceptions still holding the space back A grounded conversation on what’s real, what’s hype, and where crypto’s finally finding traction.