From memes to machines: Are AI tokens taking over?
Explore the rise of AI-driven cryptocurrencies and their potential to outshine memecoins
From meme-driven hype to tech-driven innovation, AI agent tokens are taking crypto speculation to a new level.
AI agent tokens represent a growing intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence. But what exactly are they? AI agents are advanced programs designed to operate autonomously.
Unlike traditional bots, they can analyze their environment, make decisions, and execute tasks with minimal human intervention. Think of them as digital assistants capable of managing complex tasks in the crypto world—from providing market insights to executing trades—without us having to lift a finger.
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise Investments, recently drew an intriguing comparison, saying on X, “The more I think about AI agents—the more I think it perfectly parallels to the 19th century advent of the corporation.”
Horsley added that “corporations were feared, and now number in the millions. We all work for them and they produce everything we use and consume. Why won't AI agents be similar?”
The more I think about AI Agents —
— Hunter Horsley (@HHorsley) December 30, 2024
The more I think it perfectly parallels to the 19th century advent of the corporation: able to enter contracts itself, hire humans, own things, and outlive people.
Corporations were feared, and now number in the millions. We all work for them…
Corporations revolutionized commerce by granting entities the ability to enter contracts, own assets, and operate independently of individuals. AI agents may soon follow this trajectory, becoming central to economic and technological innovation.
Linking AI agents to crypto
Some AI agents are tied to specific cryptocurrencies, acting as fundraising tools or mechanisms to enhance their ecosystem. For example, the AI16Z token has gained significant traction, boasting a market capitalization of $2.3 billion at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, Truth Terminal—an AI agent promoting the GOAT memecoin—helped drive the coin’s market capitalization to $514.69 million.
The trend hasn’t gone unnoticed by major platforms. Binance Futures plans to list three AI agent tokens (Swarms, Alchemist, and Cookie), signaling growing interest and adoption.
Despite the buzz, skepticism abounds. On-chain crypto investigator ZachXBT cautions that “99% of [AI tokens] is a scam.” He argues that while memecoins make no pretense of utility, many AI tokens attempt to “larp” (pretend) legitimacy to lure investors.
“Do you want to be right or do you want to make money”
— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) January 6, 2025
99% of it is a scam and the AI agent wrapper grifts are probably worse than other past trends tbh.
bc at least meme coins promise nothing whereas AI coins try to larp as much as possible to appear legit to unsuspecting…
Another criticism revolves around access models. For instance, the AIXBT agent requires users to hold $300,000 worth of its tokens to access its real-time market intelligence services. Critics, like X user gmoneyNFT, believe such models are unsustainable, likening them to flawed business strategies from prior crypto cycles.
Why are people investing?
Despite these concerns, many investors see potential. AI agent tokens offer access to cutting-edge services, incentives for developers, and opportunities to stake or participate in project governance. Some projects even allow holders to influence development and share profits, as seen with governance-enabled tokens like LUNA.
As the market evolves, opinions on AI agent tokens remain divided. Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly, predicts that AI agent tokens may outperform memecoins, marking a shift from “financial nihilism to financial over-optimism.” He anticipates this trend will dominate 2025, particularly with the rise of software engineering-focused AI agents.
My 2025 Crypto Predictions
— Haseeb ＞|＜ (@hosseeb) January 1, 2025
I'm either going to look like a prophet or an idiot over these predictions, but one thing is for sure: I'm going to piss off a lot of people with bags.
Breaking this up into six sections: my predictions for L1s/L2s, token launches, stablecoins,…
At the time of writing, the total market cap of AI agent tokens stands at $16.8 billion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $2.6 billion. Leading tokens like FET, VIRTUAL, and AI16Z showcase the tremendous activity in this space.
AI agent tokens represent both promise and peril. For some, they’re the next frontier of blockchain innovation. For others, they’re overhyped fads riddled with risks. Whether they endure as transformative tools or fade into crypto history depends on their ability to deliver real-world utility and navigate skepticism.
