(HedgeCo.Net). In a move that could shape the next wave of crypto innovation, Coinbase Ventures — the investment arm of Coinbase — has publicly announced plans to shift its 2026 crypto investment strategy toward real-world asset (RWA) perpetuals, artificial intelligence, and next-gen decentralized finance (DeFi). CoinCentral
RWA perpetuals refer to tokenized versions of real-world assets — like real estate or commercial paper — structured as perpetual instruments on blockchain platforms. By targeting these, Coinbase Ventures aims to bridge traditional finance and crypto in a more fluid, on-chain environment. The firm’s broader interest in AI-driven crypto infrastructure and cutting-edge DeFi suggests confidence that the next growth cycle will come from tech-driven innovation, not just speculative trading.
The announcement comes during a period of intense volatility — many cryptocurrencies remain below their late-2024/early-2025 highs — yet Coinbase appears to be positioning itself for a long-term renaissance. Analysts note that such institutional-backed moves could help legitimize tokenization efforts and attract conservative investors who’ve been wary of high-volatility assets.
What to watch: how Coinbase’s RWA projects are structured, whether they gain regulatory approval, and if they attract capital — institutional or retail — in meaningful volume. If successful, this could set a template for a broader shift toward real-world-asset-backed crypto finance.