Half-baked thought: Tokens will become currency.
Right now, the direction is obvious – more money buys more tokens.
But what if, in the near future, tokens themselves become a medium of exchange?
Consider this:
- Microsoft is allocating tokens to support the maintenance of open-source projects.
- Companies granting tokens in exchange for using their tools or infrastructure.
- Open-source maintainers receiving donations in tokens instead of (or alongside) cash.
- Platforms enabling distributed token usage across multiple accounts, almost like a modern SETI@home
- Gift cards for Anthropic.
In other words, tokens are not just consumption units, but are tradable, transferable assets within an ecosystem.
Of course, this is far from trivial. Privacy, security, incentive alignment, and implementation complexity are all major hurdles.
But if I had to place one slightly outrageous bet for 2026, it would be movement in this direction.
Are we ready to start thinking of tokens as something you can “round up and donate”?
Tom Ron 