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Tom Lee says AI might cut humans out of economy, crypto could be safeguard, with Ethereum as key player, $11.8 billion stake, 19.7% gain in 30 days
Tom Lee, Head of Research at Fundstrat, warned that AI agents could eventually cut humans out of all economic activity entirely, and crypto may be the only thing that stops them [2]. This comes as the software industry is seeing shrinking demand and a repricing of their services, with AI products replacing traditional software, leading to a $1 trillion selloff in software stocks over the past seven trading days [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,873 |
| 24h % move | 0.2% |
| Key level | 51% lower than 12 months ago |
| Catalyst | AI replacing traditional software, $1 trillion selloff in software stocks |
The move is driven by the increasing capabilities of AI agents, which may find humans more of an obstacle than a participant, leading to a potential cut-off from economic activity [2]. Lee noted that programmable blockchain transactions are the only tool that can keep humans in the loop once autonomous agents start making economic decisions at machine speed. He expects AI agent payments to follow the same path as stablecoins and perpetual futures contracts, potentially in less than five years [2]. The shift towards AI agents is also reflected in the growth of stablecoin AUM, despite falling prices, and the expansion of tokenized stocks at roughly 600% annually [2].
Lee's comments come as part of a wider discussion on the impact of AI on the economy, with some experts warning of a potential bubble in the tech industry [1]. Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short, compared the current situation to the dotcom bubble, warning that investors are once again conflating technology with corporate profits [1]. However, Lee remains bullish on the potential of crypto, particularly Ethereum, which he sees as a key player in the development of AI agent payments [2]. He chairs BitMine Immersion Technologies, the largest corporate holder of ether, with a stake of $11.8 billion [3].
| Ethereum metrics | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,873 |
| Circulating supply | 5.79 million ETH held by BitMine |
| Market cap | $11.8 billion |
The real significance of Lee's comments lies in the potential for crypto to provide a safeguard against the risks posed by AI agents, and the role that Ethereum may play in this process [2]. As the software industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether crypto will be able to provide a viable alternative to traditional payment systems, and what the implications will be for the wider economy.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Aug 1, 2026 · How we report
He argues that banks cannot provide programmable money and micropayments, which crypto can deliver natively, keeping humans involved in autonomous economic decisions.
It offers smart wallets with programmable spending rules, escrow that releases payment after verified service delivery, and a reputation registry based on on‑chain transaction history.
Its total value locked fell to $5 million, the DAO stopped development, and the protocol entered a maintenance state allowing users to withdraw, repay, and manage positions.