A cryptocurrency investor, commonly referred to as a “whale,” has seen significant financial gains, amassing over $11.5 million in the span of just 19 days through their position in an AI token. This investor purchased over $10 million worth of Virtuals Protocol tokens (VIRTUAL), which serve as the utility currency for a platform dedicated to launching autonomous AI agents.
The purchase resulted in an unrealized profit of nearly $11.5 million, according to data from the onchain intelligence platform Lookonchain, which reported the whale’s transaction of 4.25 million VIRTUAL tokens initially valued at $10 million, now worth approximately $21.5 million.
The VIRTUAL token began attracting attention on November 15, with a one-day surge exceeding 44% due to increasing enthusiasm around AI-driven cryptocurrencies. It reached a peak of $5.07 on January 2, according to CoinMarketCap’s data.
The rise in interest for AI agents on the blockchain is largely attributed to their potential to elevate online productivity, refine decision-making processes, and unveil new financial opportunities. AI agents have been operating autonomously on the blockchain, a notable example being a transaction on December 16, where Luna, an AI agent from Virtuals Protocol, received image generation services from another autonomous AI agent, STIX Protocol. Following the service, Luna processed a payment of $1.77 in VIRTUAL tokens.
Market analysts predict significant advances and opportunities in the burgeoning sector of AI cryptocurrencies. Notably, platforms like ai16z and the decentralized trading protocol Hyperliquid are poised for growth in 2025, according to Alvin Kan, chief operating officer of Bitget Wallet. He highlights the emergence of narratives around AI-led investments and decentralized AI agents as indicators of a tech-driven shift, although acknowledging the risks involved.
However, AI-based cryptocurrencies experienced a downturn, losing almost a third of their combined market value in December 2024, plummeting over 28% from their $70 billion high. Despite this setback, the future of AI tokens continues to spark strong interest and speculation within the crypto community.
