The AI project ai16z is considering launching its own layer-1 blockchain as part of a significant shift in its tokenomics strategy. This initiative would see ai16z become not only an AI-focused platform but also serve as the native currency for this new blockchain network.
According to a post on the project’s governance forum, ai16z contributors are exploring a platform designed to facilitate the launch of AI agents, akin to the pump.fun model. This would position ai16z as a primary tool for implementing advanced tokenomics strategies, thereby enhancing the value of its native token, $ai16z.
The potential mechanics outlined in the forum include taking a percentage of launch fees, requiring $ai16z holdings for allocation, using $ai16z in initial agent offerings, and pairing agent tokens with $ai16z in liquidity pools. The proposed layer-1 network would be open-source, offering node incentives and using AI16Z as its base currency.
Since its inception in October, the AI16Z token has rapidly gained a market capitalization of nearly $1.5 billion, as reported by CoinGecko. Ai16z prides itself on being the first investment DAO led by AI agents, utilizing its flagship AI operating system Eliza to drive investment decisions based on collective intelligence.
The autonomous fund already manages an on-chain liquidity pool with reported annualized returns nearing 25%. Powered by the Eliza system, over a dozen Web3 AI agents are already operational. As of December, blockchain networks globally host approximately 10,000 AI agents, generating substantial revenue from onchain activities. It is anticipated that this number could swell to over 1 million AI agents by the end of 2025.
The value of tokens linked to agentic AI surged to more than $10 billion in market capitalization in 2024, with significant growth observed in the last quarter. Predictions for 2025 suggest AI agents will become increasingly prominent within decentralized communities, further influencing the dynamics and developments within the Web3 and blockchain sectors.
