Asia to Lead AI-Blockchain Convergence: Animoca Brands Cofounder Predicts

At the SuperAI summit in Singapore, Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, predicted that Asia will lead the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Siu's reasoning is rooted in pragmatism, citing a less polarized approach to finance in Asia compared to Western markets.

The region's relationship with innovation is more adaptable to the rapid adoption cycles required by crypto and AI, according to Siu. He positioned the fusion of AI agents and blockchain as an inevitable economic shift, with autonomous agents negotiating supply chains, executing financial contracts, and managing digital assets without human intervention.

Animoca Brands has already taken a significant step in this direction by launching a $10 million fund targeting early-stage agentic AI ventures. The company's pivot into blockchain gaming and NFTs around 2018 was a key moment in its journey toward this convergence. Since then, it has supported over 600 projects at the intersection of AI and blockchain.

Siu emphasized that Asia's approach to finance is less polarized, citing Singapore as a hub for events like SuperAI, Hong Kong's efforts to attract crypto firms, Japan's regulatory framework for digital assets, and South Korea's significant retail crypto trading volumes. This environment allows for faster integration of new financial tools.