The Hong Kong Consensus 2026 conference highlighted a prevailing pessimistic sentiment among participants concerning the future of cryptocurrency. According to NS3.AI, attendees pointed to persistent market sluggishness as a key factor in their outlook. Traditional narratives surrounding cryptocurrency appear to be waning in influence, with artificial intelligence emerging as a more prominent focus. Despite the skepticism, speakers at the conference recognized ongoing developments within the crypto sector but maintained a cautious stance regarding its short-term prospects.