AI Moat: How Can Crypto Capital and AI Agents Dance Together?
Original Article Title: Crypto AI Moats: Where Capital and Agents Converge
Original Article Authors: @Defi0xJeff, @steak_studio Lead
Original Article Translation: zhouzhou, BlockBeats
Editor's Note: Cryptographic AI empowers autonomous intelligent agents to manage assets, optimize cash flow, and operate autonomously within the DeFi ecosystem. Compared to Web2 AI, it can access decentralized data, leverage open model collaboration, and accelerate evolution. With the development of DeFi, Darwinian AI, and decentralized infrastructure, AI will not only be an assistant but a direct participant in the on-chain economy, enabling asset holding, trading, and value creation. Crypto AI combines programmable currency with intelligent agents to build a decentralized economic system, accelerating the arrival of autonomous intelligent agent economics and breaking through the limitations of Web2 AI.
The following is the original content (slightly reorganized for readability):
As the market tightens, capital is gradually concentrating on stronger fundamentals, and the next wave of innovation in the AI field is accelerating its collision with the core moat of the crypto world.
Here are several key areas where crypto x AI may further converge, showcasing and solidifying the native AI applications in crypto.
The most direct synergy between AI and crypto: capital efficiency and yield optimization.
DeFi - On-Chain Yield
Stablecoins
RWA
Spot & Perpetual Contract Trading
Lending Markets
Yield Markets (Interest / Rewards)
DeFi has always been at the core of the crypto world, providing globally accessible on-chain yield and trading opportunities. The incorporation of AI can more efficiently capture and optimize this value, enabling better utilization of idle capital. For example, DeFi can be used as a tool to hedge against inflation or to generate excess returns through AI strategies.
Stablecoins: as a core use case of cryptocurrency, encompassing nearly all on-chain transaction scenarios.
RWA: tokenizing assets such as government bonds, debt, real estate, DePIN loans, GPU computing power, and bringing them on-chain.
Spot & Perpetual Contract Trading: optimizing transaction fees and returns.
Lending Markets: enhancing fund utilization through a more efficient lending mechanism to achieve superior returns.
Yield Market: Introducing a new interest rate market to enhance yield optimization capabilities.
Crypto = DeFi = Capital Flow and Value Accrual. Web3 AI may be better suited for this than closed Web2 systems, as the openness and incentive mechanisms of blockchain and tokenomics allow AI to efficiently manage funds.
Although DeFi AI is still in its early stages, there have been some exciting developments:
· @gizatechxyz's stablecoin yield optimization AI agent has surpassed $1M TVL, with a trading volume of $6M, achieving a yield 83%+ higher than traditional lending strategies.
· @Cod3xOrg has launched the Sophon Spark trading agent competition, where agents compete for a $1.5M reward and enhance their trading capabilities through data-optimized AI.
· @autonolas has introduced Modius & Optimus, serving as personal portfolio management AI agents. Their team is the only one supporting users to run AI agents locally and recently launched the $1M Olas Accelerator Program.
· Projects like @HeyAnonai, @AIWayfinder, @slate_ceo, among others, are exploring more user-friendly DeFi gateways, albeit still in the early stages.
Why Are AI Agents Suitable for DeFi?
AI agents can continuously optimize yield and manage risk 24/7, intelligently adjusting positions. MPC (Multi-Protocol Compatible) is driving deep integration of DeFi with AI, enabling AI agents to access on-chain data and integrate more protocols. In the next year, AI agents may handle a significant amount of on-chain transactions, automate DeFi operations, and enhance yield optimization capabilities.
Key Areas to Watch:
Teams driving technological advancements and building developer ecosystems (hackathons, competitions, workshops, etc.).
Teams focusing on privacy, verifiability, and non-custodial models to ensure users truly control AI agents.
Growth metrics of AI agents, such as AUA (Agent Under Management) / TVL (Total Value Locked).
Beyond DeFi, AI is igniting an evolutionary race. Crypto AI is not just a yield optimization tool; it is accelerating the natural selection of AI agents and teams—only the strongest AI agents and teams can survive and thrive.
The Darwinian Law of AI Evolution (Natural Selection)
@opentensor (AI Compute Network)
@AlloraNetwork (Machine Learning / Prediction)
@BitRobotNetwork (Robotics)
Darwinism: The concept that "species evolve through natural selection." In other words, this is the AI team's "Hunger Games" — either driving technological advancement and receiving incentives or being phased out by the market.
Web3 AI provides the most suitable infrastructure for AI evolution, accelerating the process of natural selection through token incentives, inflation/deflation mechanisms. Bittensor has been at the forefront of driving this trend, with many teams building technology around its subnets (such as SN6, 41, 44), especially in the GambleFAI (prediction market) domain, leveraging AI/ML prediction capabilities to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Allora is harnessing the power of machine learning to accelerate and enhance their models, covering a wide range of financial prediction use cases. Allora's model is similar to Bittensor but focuses on financial prediction. Instead of using subnets, it has established "Topics" (specific financial prediction use cases), where development teams can compete in these areas, with the top-performing teams receiving the most incentives.
Best Use Case:
Allora is collaborating with @steerprotocol to utilize AI-driven liquidity provision strategies to maximize returns on holdings while reducing impermanent loss (IL).

Bit Robot is developed by the @frodobots team, who are also the team behind @SamIsMoving (within the @virtuals_io ecosystem). Currently, there is limited information about Bit Robot, but they plan to build an ecosystem similar to Bittensor, focusing on robotics technology. Their subnets will represent different aspects of the robotics field, such as data, hardware, visual models, LLM, etc.
Focus Areas: $TAO price trends, dTAO ecosystem growth, how consumer apps/agents leverage subnet technology, Allora ecosystem integration, case studies, and Token Generation Events (TGE).
Key Elements of Decentralized Infrastructure:
Data
Model Training
Verifiability
Confidentiality
DePIN (GPU)
This type of infrastructure supports open collaboration, open innovation, and prevents the monopolization of technological innovation by a few centralized players. As mentioned in my previous article, with the advancement of DeFAI and Darwinian AI evolution, we will see continued adoption of these infrastructures, especially as more mature and clear use cases emerge.
In the short to medium term, the areas that interest me the most are:
Social & Emotional Data:
· @KaitoAI Yap Leaderboard and the recently launched Yaps Open Protocol, allowing teams to build products based on Yap scores
· @aixbt_agent tracking & mapping Alpha/Social trends on Twitter
· @cookiedotfun providing AI agent marketplace/social intelligence
On-chain Data:
· Currently, in the on-chain data space, we have not seen an absolute leader like in social & emotional data.
Other Data Players
· Data Fetching: @getgrass_io utilizing idle bandwidth for data collection
· Data Ownership: @vana incentivizing data ownership through DataDAOs
· Secure Computation: @nillionnetwork introducing Blind Compute, its applications, and the upcoming $NIL TGE (launching soon)
For further reading on the data space:

About DePIN (GPU)
There are currently two interesting protocols emerging that facilitate the securitization of GPU assets through on-chain lending, helping data centers and operators to massively scale their GPU businesses.
Due to the continued growth of AI, the demand for computing power will never cease, and data centers will always need capital to expand operations. Therefore, projects like @gaib_ai and @metastreetxyz are connecting DeFi liquidity with borrowing demands, enabling on-chain DePIN rewards while providing capital support to GPU operators.
Gaib AI Dollar:

MetaStreet USDAI:

Key Takeaways
Crypto-native AI solves challenges that Web2 AI cannot overcome. Crypto AI not only provides computational power to intelligent agents but also endows them with transactional capabilities, enabling AI to manage assets, optimize cash flows, and autonomously operate in an open and permissionless network. Crypto AI is shaping a brand-new world where intelligent agents can:
· Freely move funds within the DeFi ecosystem without centralized intermediaries;
· Access decentralized data streams unreachable by Web2, gaining access to a richer source of information;
· Evolve faster through open models and collaborative ecosystems compared to closed systems.
In essence, Crypto AI turns scenarios that Web2 AI cannot replicate at scale into reality: the combination of programmable money and autonomous intelligent agents creates a fully verifiable, composable economic system. With the continued maturity of DeFi, Darwinian AI, and decentralized infrastructure, we will see AI not just as an assistant but as a direct participant in on-chain economies.
AI is not just smarter but also capable of autonomously holding, transacting, optimizing, and creating value; this is the true moat of Crypto AI.
You may also like

2% user contribution, 90% trading volume: The real picture of Polymarket

Trump Can't Take It Anymore, 5 Signals of the US-Iran Ceasefire

Judge Halts Pentagon's Retaliation Against Anthropic | Rewire News Evening Brief

Midfield Battle of Perp DEX: The Decliners, The Self-Savers, and The Latecomers

Iran War Stalemate: What Signal Should the Market Follow?

Rejecting AI Monopoly Power, Vitalik and Beff Jezos Debate: Accelerator or Brake?

Insider Trading Alert! Will Trump Call a Truce by End of April?

After establishing itself as the top tokenized stock, does Ondo have any new highlights?

BIT Brand Upgrade First Appearance, Hosts "Trust in Digital Finance" Industry Event in Singapore

OpenClaw Founder Interview: Why the US Should Learn from China on AI Implementation
WEEX AI Wars II: Enlist as an AI Agent Arsenal and Lead the Battle
Where the thunder of legions falls into a hallowed hush, the true kings of arena are crowned in gold and etched into eternity. Season 1 of WEEX AI Wars has ended, leaving a battlefield of glory. Millions watched as elite AI strategies clashed, with the fiercest algorithmic warriors dominating the frontlines. The echoes of victory still reverberate. Now, the call to arms sounds once more!
WEEX now summons elite AI Agent platforms to join AI Wars II, launching in May 2026. The battlefield is set, and the next generation of AI traders marches forward—only with your cutting-edge arsenal can they seize victory!
Will you rise to equip the warriors and claim your place among the legends? Can your AI Agent technology dominate the battlefield? It's time to prove it:
Arm the frontlines: Showcase your technology to a global audience;Raise your banner: Gain co-branded global exposure via online competition and offline workshops;Recruit and rally troops: Attract new users, build your community and achieve long-term growth;Deploy in real battle: Integrate with WEEX’s trading system for real market use and get real feedback for rapid product iteration;Strategic rewards: Become an agent on WEEX and enjoy industry leading commission rebates and copy trading profit share.Join WEEX AI Wars II now to sound the charge!
Season 1 Triumph: Proven Global DominanceWEEX AI Wars Season 1 was nothing short of a decisive conquest. Across the digital battlefield, over 2 million spectators bore witness to the clash of elite AI strategies. Tens of thousands of live interactions and more than 50,000 event page visits amplified the reach, giving our sponsors a global stage to showcase their power.
Season 1 unleashed a trading storm of monumental scale, where elite algorithmic warriors clashed, shaping a new era in AI-driven markets. $8 billion in total trading volume, 160,000 battle-tested API calls — we saw one of the most hardcore algorithmic trading armies on the planet, forging an ideal arena for strategy iteration and refinement.
On the ground, workshop campaigns in Dubai, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, and Turkey brought AI trading directly to the frontlines. Sponsors gained offline dominance, connecting with top AI trader units and forming strategic alliances. Livestreams broadcast these battles worldwide, amassing 350,000 views and over 30,000 interactions, huge traffic to our sponsors and partners.
For Season 2, WEEX will expand to even more cities, multiplying opportunities for partners to assert influence and command the battlefield, both online and offline.
Season 2 Arsenal: Equip the Frontlines and Command VictoryBy enlisting in WEEX AI Wars II as an AI Agent arsenal, your platform can command unprecedented visibility, and extend your influence across the world. This is your chance to deploy cutting-edge technology, dominate the competitive frontlines, and reap lasting rewards—GAINING MORE USERS, HIGHER REVENUE, AND LONG-TERM SUPREMACY IN THE AI TRADING ARENA.
Reach WEEX’s 8 million userbase and global crypto community. Unleash your potential on a global stage! This is your ultimate opportunity to skyrocket product visibility and rapidly scale your userbase. Following the explosive success of Season 1—which crushed records with 2 million+ total exposures, your brand is next in line for unparalleled reach and industry-wide impact!Test and showcase your AI Agent in real markets. Throw your AI Agents into the ultimate arena! Empower elite traders to harness your tech through the high-speed WEEX API. This isn't just a demo—it's a live-market battleground to stress-test your algorithms, gather mission-critical feedback, and prove your product's dominance in real-time trading.Gain extensive co-branded exposure and traffic support. Command the spotlight! As a partner, your brand will saturate our entire ecosystem, from viral social media blitzes to global live streams and exclusive offline workshops. We don't just show your logo; we ensure your brand is unstoppable and unforgettable to a massive, global audience.Enjoy industry leading rebates. Becoming our partner is not a one-time collaboration, but the start of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with tangible revenue opportunities.Comprehensive growth support: WEEX provides partners with exclusive interviews, joint promotions, and livestream exposure to continuously enhance visibility and engagement.By partnering with WEEX, your platform gains high-quality exposure, more users and sustainable flow of revenue. The Hackathon is more than a competition. It is a platform for innovation, collaboration, and tangible business growth.
Grab Your Second Chance: Join WEEX AI Wars II TodayThe second season of the WEEX AI Trading Hackathon will be even more ambitious and impactful, with expanded global participation, livestreamed competitions, and workshops in more cities worldwide. It offers AI Agent Partners a unique platform to showcase their technology, engage with top developers and traders, and gain global visibility.
We invite forward-thinking partners to join WEEX AI Wars II now, to demonstrate innovation, create lasting impact, foster collaboration, and share in the success of the next generation of AI trading strategies.
About WEEXFounded in 2018, WEEX has developed into a global crypto exchange with over 6.2 million users across more than 150 countries. The platform emphasizes security, liquidity, and usability, providing over 1,200 spot trading pairs and offering up to 400x leverage in crypto futures trading. In addition to the traditional spot and derivatives markets, WEEX is expanding rapidly in the AI era — delivering real-time AI news, empowering users with AI trading tools, and exploring innovative trade-to-earn models that make intelligent trading more accessible to everyone. Its 1,000 BTC Protection Fund further strengthens asset safety and transparency, while features such as copy trading and advanced trading tools allow users to follow professional traders and experience a more efficient, intelligent trading journey.
Follow WEEX on social mediaX: @WEEX_Official
Instagram: @WEEX Exchange
Tiktok: @weex_global
Youtube: @WEEX_Official
Discord: WEEX Community
Telegram: WeexGlobal Group

Nasdaq Enters Correction Territory | Rewire News Morning Brief

OpenAI loses to Thousnad-Question, unable to grow a checkout counter in the chatbox

One-Year Valuation Surged 140%, Who Is Signing the Check for Defense AI?

Bittensor vs. Virtuals: Two Distinct AI Flywheel Mechanisms

Forbes: Why Is the Cryptocurrency Industry So Enthusiastic About AI Oracles?

Ethereum Foundation publishes: Restructuring the division of labor between L1 and L2, jointly building the ultimate Ethereum ecosystem

