The Metaverse’s Evolution: Yat Siu Declares the End of Consumer-Centric Virtual Worlds in Favor of AI Agents

Title: Animoca Brands Chairman Declares the Metaverse ‘Over’ as AI Agents Take Center Stage

Miami, FL — In a bold statement at Consensus Miami 2026, Yat Siu, chairman of Animoca Brands, declared the metaverse as a consumer destination effectively “over,” shifting the focus to a future dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) agents. Siu’s remarks signal a significant pivot from the company’s previous enthusiasm for immersive virtual worlds, which gained traction during the pandemic.

During his keynote address, Siu asserted that the metaverse, as envisioned during the COVID-19 lockdowns, was never intended for human consumers. “Where we’re landing is that the metaverse, the blockchain-based one, was really the proof of concept for agents,” he explained. “In other words, it was never really destined for humans as a prime consumer.”

This perspective marks a departure from Animoca’s earlier stance, which championed the idea of users immersing themselves in digital environments for social and economic interactions. Siu attributed the earlier misconceptions to the unique circumstances of the pandemic, where many believed that remote digital life would become a permanent fixture. “Everyone thought, ‘Oh, we’re going to be at home, and we’re never going to travel as much anymore,’” he noted, highlighting the subsequent return to pre-pandemic behaviors.

The Rise of the Agent Economy

Siu’s new vision posits that the blockchain’s most significant user base will not be humans but rather autonomous AI agents. He predicts that between 50 to 100 billion AI agents could eventually operate on the internet, outnumbering humans significantly. “I think the point is that it’s going to be more agents than humans,” he stated, emphasizing the potential for 10 to 20 agents per human, which could lead to a staggering 70 to 140 billion agents globally.

This shift in focus addresses a critical challenge that has hindered the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency. Currently, around 700 to 800 million people globally own some form of cryptocurrency, but fewer than 70 million actively engage with blockchain applications. Siu argues that AI agents, which can interact directly through code and operate without traditional banking infrastructure, are uniquely positioned to overcome these barriers.

To support this transition, Animoca Brands announced a $10 million investment initiative aimed at developers creating AI agent applications through its Animoca Minds platform. This initiative marks a strategic pivot for the company, framing AI agents as the next major investment category following the decline of the metaverse era.

As the landscape of digital interaction evolves, Siu’s insights suggest a future where AI agents, rather than humans, become the primary users of blockchain technology, fundamentally reshaping the way we think about digital economies.