EthCC8 Review: New Trends in AI, Stablecoins, and Decentralized Finance

The 8th Ethereum Community Conference ( EthCC [8] was held in late June in Cannes, France, attracting over 6,500 developers, researchers, investors, and ecosystem contributors. As one of the most important Ethereum developer events in Europe, this year's EthCC showcased the increasingly mature and vibrant landscape of the Web3 domain, driven by the integration of the real world, emerging technologies like AI, and the resurgence of Decentralized Finance.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins and Decentralized Finance Revival])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-74dd561127425ae498962dab8d8c4698.webp(

In addition to the main venue, Cannes also hosted over 300 side events covering areas such as AI and cryptocurrency, stablecoin, tokenization, Decentralized Finance, and infrastructure. Here are three key themes worth noting from this conference:

) AI Agents Shift Towards Practicality

AI in Web3 is undergoing a significant transformation: from initially chasing token-driven hype to now focusing on real-world functionality and long-term applications. Teams are no longer designing products around speculative profits but are prioritizing usability, verifiability, and business models that go beyond token economics.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins, and Decentralized Finance Revival]###https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-a5e4466374eb3623c9c36104db98b8c4.webp(

This evolution has given rise to a new architectural blueprint that integrates large language models for decision-making, smart contracts for execution, and verifiable systems for trust and security. For example, certain ecosystems are introducing infrastructure that allows AI agents to participate in commercial activities through executable protocols, covering milestones, service terms, and payment conditions. This innovation transforms digital interactions from mere task execution to legally binding transactions, marking a significant step for AI agents towards becoming autonomous actors in the real economy system.

To support this transition, developers are building the foundational layer of the agent economy, including tools for monetization, communication between agents, attribution, and performance assessment. These components will enable agents to interact, collaborate, and compete in dynamic markets, unlocking models such as recommendation-based systems and interoperability for specific tasks.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins, and the resurgence of Decentralized Finance])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-cbad6e62dad6614d3c2539e2fbead98d.webp(

) stablecoin and RWA become the foundation of institutional finance

Stablecoins have become an indispensable part of the global financial ecosystem. Recent regulatory measures have brought the much-needed clarity, positioning stablecoins as compliant mainstream application tools. This shift is sparking interest among institutional investors, with major financial institutions beginning to utilize stablecoins for payments, settlements, and fund management.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoin and Decentralized Finance Revival]###https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-20e080d19947791775b3ff846b23e9ae.webp(

At the same time, the tokenization of real-world assets such as funds management and decentralized lending systems ) RWA ( is rapidly expanding. These assets are reshaping capital markets by introducing programmability, transparency, and cost structures that traditional finance cannot match. This wave of applications further expands in underserved industries through tokenization tools, thereby enhancing inclusivity and global liquidity.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins and Decentralized Finance Revival])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-f976023f870e0a5fecf131af0f3cd878.webp(

Today, AI-driven systems can autonomously optimize cross-chain and cross-protocol stablecoin yields and RWA allocations, thereby enhancing this landscape. Intelligent rebalancing mechanisms, risk mitigation engines, and cross-chain portfolio execution aim to balance performance and compliance. The integration of compliant stablecoins, tokenized RWAs, and automated intelligence transforms Web3 from merely a financial layer into a powerful institutional-grade infrastructure aimed at the digital economy.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoin and Decentralized Finance Revival])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-f5670bf294a3f012c93538ae23c8eee0.webp(

) Decentralized Finance 复兴：更智能、更安全

After nearly two years of contraction, DeFi is regaining its development momentum, focusing on security, efficiency, and interoperability. The next wave will be shaped by cross-chain liquidity layers, institutional-grade compliance, and AI-driven automation. The focus has shifted from chasing short-term gains to building systems that can sustainably scale and withstand volatility — a fundamental requirement for institutional adoption.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoin and Decentralized Finance Revival]###https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-bc5b4eb90e13ffb345dda00889a7ef3f.webp(

One of the most striking discussions at EthCC8 was about a new version of a lending protocol, which introduces a unified liquidity layer that enables seamless cross-chain lending, dynamic interest rate mechanisms, and stronger risk control. This upgrade also deepens the integration with stablecoins, including features like soft liquidation and automated fund management. These advancements reflect a broader trend towards modular, risk-aware architectures that can adapt to market conditions without sacrificing efficiency or security.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoin and Decentralized Finance Revival])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-e3981678eec66b34954782d39c28876d.webp(

AI-driven automation is accelerating this evolution. Autonomous agents are now capable of optimizing liquidity provision, executing hedging strategies, and identifying high-yield opportunities across multiple chains. Predictive analytics are helping protocols anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. This is in stark contrast to the early DeFi era, which heavily relied on manual management and static incentives. Today, DeFi is evolving into an intelligent, self-optimizing financial layer that paves the way for broader institutional adoption, long-term sustainability, and adaptable infrastructure that can compete with and complement traditional markets.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins, and the resurgence of DeFi])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-af559bf36b148a28d99732a3b212f275.webp(

Overall, EthCC8 once again demonstrated the vitality and resilience of the Ethereum ecosystem. Every conversation with Web3 developers showcased bold ideas and groundbreaking products, continuously pushing the boundaries of Web3. These exchanges not only reinforced confidence in Ethereum as a pillar of decentralized innovation but also enhanced optimism that the practicality of future real-world applications will drive mass adoption.

![DFG's EthCC8 Review and Insights: AI Agents, stablecoins and Decentralized Finance Revival])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-61a8dc457c3e1d7e39e009e2e251dffe.webp(