Crypto’s Midlife Crisis: AI, Boomers, and the Death of Subscriptions

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Executives from Bitpanda, Dune, and Libertex spill the tea on AI, boomers, and why your subscription model is toast by 2026.

Remember when Bitcoin was the rebellious teen of finance, flipping off the Man and dreaming of a decentralized utopia? Well, guess what-it’s now in its midlife crisis, trading in its leather jacket for a suit and quietly moving into the suburbs of global finance. Yes, crypto is officially part of the establishment. Cue the existential dread.

According to the brains at BeInCrypto’s Executive Council, the industry is less “revolution” and more “quietly fixing the plumbing.” AI agents are the new kids on the block, and they’re not here to pay for your content. Meanwhile, boomers are finally showing up to the party, but they’re still asking where the punch bowl is. Spoiler: it’s in the backend infrastructure.

Here’s the kicker: traditional performance marketing is as dead as MySpace. Traffic is down, AI is freeloading, and your grandma’s bank is now the cool kid pushing crypto. Maturity? Sure. Fun? Not so much.

At BeInCrypto’s inaugural Executive Council, bigwigs from Bitpanda, Dune, and Libertex gathered to discuss the industry’s existential questions, like “Why won’t AI pay for my newsletter?” and “Are boomers the new whales?” The key takeaway? Your subscription model is toast. Thanks, AI.

Key Takeaways (Because Who Has Time to Read)

  1. Crypto is the new utility bill. It’s no longer cool-it’s just there. “We don’t need to explain it anymore,” one exec sighed. Fun times.
  2. AI agents are freeloaders. They consume, summarize, and act without paying. Your ad revenue? Bye.
  3. Boomers are the new crypto bros. They’re coming, and they’re bringing their 401(k)s. Banks are their spirit animal.
  4. Volatility is still a thing. Crypto’s still wildin’, but TradFi has tools. Crypto? Not so much.
  5. Trust is still human. AI can’t replace a good old-fashioned human endorsement. Yet.

The Gory Details

From Headlines to Backend Boredom

Crypto’s gone from “Look at me!” to “I’m just here to help.” TradFi, fintech, and crypto are now in a polyamorous relationship, sharing tools and users. The hype is dead. Long live the infrastructure.

User acquisition is a hot mess-referrals, partnerships, and AI-powered search are the new black. Token prices? Meh. Real utility is the new flex.

“Token prices are so 2021. Now it’s all about real-world impact.”

– Alsie Liu, Dune’s resident data whisperer

The Social Media Takeover: Facts Over Feelings

Social media is the new newsroom, especially for the under-35 crowd. But it’s not just about platforms-it’s about verifiable facts over hot takes. Personalization is table stakes, not a luxury.

The US is leading the charge, but Brazil, Africa, and the Philippines are right behind. Europe? Still clinging to their newspapers like it’s 1999.

“Boomers are coming, and they’re bringing their banks.”

– Vishal Sacheendran, Bitpanda’s boomer whisperer

AI: The Ultimate Freeloader

AI is everywhere, but only 7% of companies are all-in. First-mover advantage? Absolutely. But no one’s figured out how to make money off AI agents. They’re like that friend who always forgets their wallet.

“Content needs to work for both humans and robots. It’s a brave new world.”

– Alsie Liu, still at Dune

And let’s not forget the regulatory mess. Data centers, jurisdictions, compliance-it’s enough to make your head spin.

“AI is the new ‘add blockchain’-everyone wants it, but no one knows why.”

– Dennis Alexander, Libertex’s voice of reason

Trust: Still a Human Thing

Despite the robots, trust still comes from humans. Authority, expertise, and social proof beat algorithms every time. Sorry, Skynet.

“Clients use AI for shortcuts, not analysis. Humans still rule.”

– Dennis Alexander, still not a robot

What’s Next? (Besides the Apocalypse)

  1. AI-friendly content. Because robots are your new audience.
  2. Multichannel everything. Boomers are on legacy media, kids are on TikTok. Meet them where they are.
  3. Human trust signals. Algorithms can’t replace a good old-fashioned human endorsement.

The Bottom Line

Performance marketing is dead. Long live direct relationships, AI-friendly content, and human trust. Oh, and volatility. That’s still a thing.

  • Build direct audience relationships
  • Make content robots can read
  • Be a human in a sea of algorithms

Meet the Brains Behind the Brawn

BeInCrypto’s Executive Council is where the magic happens. The January 2026 session featured:

  • Vishal Sacheendran, Bitpanda’s boomer translator
  • Alsie Liu, Dune’s data guru
  • Dennis Alexander, Libertex’s AI skeptic

Everything was off the record, so no one’s getting canceled. Phew.

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2026-02-09 16:46