Crypto’s Grand Exit: Enter AI, the True Protagonist!

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For countless moons, the realm of cryptocurrency has paraded itself as the herald of a new technological dawn. But lo, the stage is set, and the spotlight shifts! The curtain rises on Artificial Intelligence, the true star of our era. 🌟 Crypto, darling, you shall play the loyal squire rather than the knight errant.

Let us not diminish the valor of our crypto brethren, for their deeds are neither small nor insignificant. Indeed, I have jousted in the lists of Bitcoin‘s institutional investing and held court in the grand halls of on-chain enterprises. And with a Ph.D in AI, I say unto thee: the quest for intelligent systems that solve the riddles of our world is the noblest of pursuits—blockchain rails or no.

Regarding pure crypto, only DeFi stands unwavering. A superior incarnation of TradFi, ’tis a marvel of engineering, programmability, and composability—a digital Camelot, if you will. Stablecoins and tokenization, the true knights of this realm, demonstrate valor. The sages of BlackRock, Robinhood, and even the crypto-native bards like Coinbase anticipate the clarion call of regulation and prepare their crypto arsenals. Instant global transactions? A quest most worthy!

But hark! Beyond this lies the realm of AI. From the grand laboratories of TradAI to the open fields of DeepSeek and Mistral, and the communal forges of Nous. AI applications, agents, and even the mysterious Decentralized AI—the demand for AI’s wonders eclipses crypto’s aspirations.

Thus emerges a new decree: shouldst thou dwell in crypto, make swift thy pivot to AI.

This proclamation shouldst not surprise. While crypto has oft been a mere jester in the court of mainstream utility, AI strides forth, a valiant champion, transforming industries with nary a pause.

And what of crypto’s latest dalliance with memecoins and “crime szn”? A reflection, perhaps, of its Achilles’ heel. Tokens, whilst revolutionary, have oft been bedazzled by the siren song of memes rather than the sturdy foundation of technological value. Although meme value is no trifling matter, it unveils crypto’s fragility as a solo act.

Fear not, for crypto is not vanquished. It may yet serve as the bedrock upon which the AI citadel is built. Infrastructure, not the protagonist, shall be its role.

Consider the clarion call to Make AI Cheap Again: distributed computing, verifiable computation, tokenized resources, decentralized storage, and transparent rewards. These are the tools of a new age, yet they serve not themselves, but the greater cause of AI.

Imagine protocols weaving revenue not from tokens alone, but through licensing and stablecoin treasures—a stark departure from the token-centric spectacle of yore.

For the intrepid founders and teams, a challenge and opportunity arise. The challenge: to venture beyond the cozy confines of Crypto Twitter and the echo chambers of [Insert Your Favorite Conference Here]. The opportunity: to partake in the grand AI revolution.

What does this entail, you ask? Think grander, dear founders. Envision how AI might reshape your domain, and then ponder how crypto might lubricate those gears. This demands a shift in how we craft and present our crypto wares.

Begin not with tokens or blockchains, but with the conundrums AI might unravel. Only then, identify where decentralized systems might enhance the AI narrative and integrate them judiciously.

Utilize crypto wisely, particularly where it may reduce costs or enhance efficiency, but keep thine eyes fixed upon the prize: delivering value through intelligence and automation.

Consider, for instance, decentralized marketplaces for critical processes, making AI more accessible (as Vast.ai and Orchid have shown us). Agents might employ cryptographic verification for secure online interactions, using login information, identities, credit cards, or even private keys and wallets on-chain.

In both scenarios, crypto serves the greater ambition of enhancing AI’s efficacy and trustworthiness.

The enterprises that shall flourish in this brave new world are those that grasp this dynamic. They shall either forge AI-first marvels that incorporate crypto where it adds true value or craft crypto services explicitly to bolster AI innovations. The market has little patience for those who wield blockchains as hammers, treating every problem as a nail.

In essence, this is about discerning the rightful place of crypto and AI. The future belongs to AI, with crypto playing a thoughtful supporting role.

For many within the crypto realm, this moment is both revelatory and transformative. We can cling to the narrative of crypto as a standalone revolution, or we can embrace its role as a technological ally to AI.

The latter may lack the glamour (and perhaps the allure for investment portfolios), but it promises enduring value and impact.

The sooner we accept this, the better positioned we shall be to contribute to the unfolding technological renaissance. It’s high time for the crypto industry to think beyond its own shadow.

If thou art in crypto, pivot to AI.

Note: The musings herein reflect the author’s perspective and not necessarily those of CoinDesk, Inc. or its kin and affiliates.

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2025-03-25 17:07