Agentic AI’s native token, ai16z, experienced a remarkable surge, climbing 38% to an all-time high of $1.77 as of December 31. This rally propelled its market capitalization from $1.4 billion to over $1.9 billion, driven by a significant increase in trading activity, with daily volume doubling to $330 million. Over the last week and month, the gains were even more pronounced, at 156% and 383% respectively, ranking it among the top-performing cryptocurrencies.
The primary catalysts behind ai16z’s recent surge include plans to launch a Layer-1 blockchain tailored for AI applications, positioning the token for a major tokenomics overhaul. Additionally, the introduction of a token launchpad is set for the first quarter of 2025, designed to serve as the main platform for deploying AI projects on the Eliza framework. This will include features like launch fees, staking requirements, and liquidity pool pairings to bolster ai16z’s value. The token will function as both a governance tool within the DAO and a utility token for platform activities.
Investor confidence was further strengthened as Eliza became the leading AI repository on GitHub, surpassing competitors and attracting increased developer engagement. Whale buying also played a crucial role; significant purchases were made, including 2.62 million AI16Z tokens for $4.34 million and 1.19 million tokens for 1.65 million USDC. These strategic acquisitions yielded substantial profits for some investors, signaling strong market confidence.
Moreover, demand from derivatives traders surged, with open interest in ai16z’s futures market rising 256% to over $22.5 million, indicating high confidence in the ongoing rally. Market experts suggest ai16z’s strategic advancements position it to challenge other major AI-focused entities. As of the latest update, ai16z’s market capitalization reached $1.79 billion, closing in on some of the sector’s giants.
