8 Predictions for 2026

As we kick off the new year, it's time to look at what's actually coming. Not just wishful thinking, but the inevitable collisions of trends already in motion. 2026 isn't going to be a year of incremental change. We're standing at the edge of something big. The convergence of tech, health, finance, and policy is creating waves we haven't seen before. Here's what I think is coming in 2026.

1. Prediction markets go mainstream

Kalshi and Polymarket opened the floodgates, and now everyone wants in. We're going to see a massive influx of new platforms crowding the prediction market space. Traditional finance institutions will launch their own versions. Social media platforms will integrate prediction features. The interesting part? These markets are proving to be more accurate than polls, which means they're not going anywhere. Expect regulatory clarity that legitimizes the space even further, making it a standard part of how we process information and make decisions.

2. The IPO event of the decade

SpaceX is going public, and it's going to shatter every record. We're talking about the biggest IPO in history, rumored to be about $1.5T. But SpaceX won't be alone. The AI darlings that have been building in relative privacy are ready for their moment. Companies like Anthropic, which have been raising massive private rounds, will finally go public. The market is hungry for AI exposure beyond the established tech giants, and 2026 is when retail investors get their shot.

3. Peptides enter the wellness zeitgeist

The longevity community has been quietly experimenting with peptides for years. That's about to change. As people become more sophisticated about health optimization (not just fitness, but actual longevity) peptides like BPC-157, thymosin beta-4, and epithalon will become household names. Wellness influencers, biohackers, and eventually mainstream media will drive adoption. The question isn't whether peptides go mainstream; it's how fast the FDA can keep up with demand for regulation.

4. Weight loss drugs shed medical stigma

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy started as diabetes medications. In 2026, they complete their transformation into aesthetic lifestyle choices. The medical justification becomes secondary to the primary use case: looking good. Insurance coverage will expand, pricing will become more competitive, and the social stigma will evaporate. We'll see the same trajectory as Botox - what was once whispered about becomes casual conversation at brunch.

5. AI gets physical

We've been living in the software era of AI. That changes now. Wearables will become genuinely intelligent. Think devices that don't just track your data, but understand context and make real-time interventions. Robots will move from factory floors into homes and offices in meaningful numbers. The convergence of AI with physical hardware creates entirely new product categories. Apple, Meta, and startups we haven't heard of yet will race to own this space.

6. Digital and metal "gold rush" intensifies

Bitcoin hits $200K. Gold reaches all-time highs. This isn't speculation, but a logical conclusion of ongoing debasement concerns and institutional adoption. More countries will add Bitcoin to their reserves. Gold benefits from geopolitical uncertainty and inflation hedging. Traditional finance increasingly treats both as legitimate portfolio allocations rather than fringe bets. The narrative shifts from "if" to "how much."

7. The office strikes back

Remote work had its moment. Now companies are calling everyone back. We're going to see aggressive RTO mandates: 4 to 5 days in the office becoming standard at major corporations. The justification will be culture, collaboration, and productivity, but the subtext is control and real estate commitments. Some companies will lose talent over this. Most will accept the trade-off. The pendulum swings back, and the fully remote revolution stalls.

8. The end of anonymous internet

Age verification and ID requirements for online platforms become the norm. It starts with social media and expands from there. The justifications are child safety, reducing harassment, and combating misinformation. Privacy advocates will be furious. The anonymous, pseudonymous internet that defined the last 25 years begins its long goodbye.