Grayscale Research has introduced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Crypto Sector as part of its proprietary classification framework, recognizing the growing importance of decentralized AI within the crypto ecosystem. This sector comprises 20 crypto tokens with a combined market capitalization of approximately $21 billion, a significant increase from $4.5 billion in early 2023.
The largest component by market value is Bittensor (TAO), a platform focused on decentralized AI development, accompanied by other notable tokens such as NEAR and Filecoin (FIL). Grayscale’s AI sector integrates three sub-sectors: AI Platforms (e.g., TAO, NEAR), AI Tools and Resources (e.g., Grass, Akash), and AI Applications and Agents (e.g., Virtuals, ElizaOS, Story Protocol).
This initiative reflects increasing institutional interest and offers exposure to blockchain-enabled AI projects that emphasize democratized access to data, computing resources, and decentralized AI ownership. The classification aims to enhance market transparency similar to traditional stock classification standards.
Industry experts highlight that although many AI crypto projects have existed for years, adoption is accelerating, particularly for platforms like Bittensor. The new sector supports Grayscale’s Decentralized AI Fund, launched in mid-2024, underscoring the expanding fusion of AI technology and decentralized finance. Overall, the AI crypto sector currently represents about 0.67% of the entire crypto market, marking it as a nascent but promising area for growth and innovation.
