AI-Driven Crypto Trading: Industry Leaders Clash Over Readiness for Prime Time

The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency was a central theme at NEARCON 2026, where two industry leaders engaged in a lively debate. Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly, emphasized the need for extreme reliability in AI systems before they can manage significant capital in live financial environments. In contrast, Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, highlighted the rapid pace of innovation in blockchain technology and machine learning, suggesting that agent-based financial tools are closer to large-scale adoption than critics believe.

Qureshi argued that even 90% or 95% reliability is not sufficient for real-world applications, where small failure rates can translate into substantial losses. He cautioned against basing expectations on flashy demonstrations rather than proven infrastructure, warning that hype around AI in crypto can distort reality. Sethi, on the other hand, presented a more optimistic outlook, revealing that Kraken is developing advanced agent-like capabilities that could be launched within weeks or months.