AI agents emerged as a pivotal phenomenon in the cryptocurrency sector in 2024, yet true innovations are anticipated in the future, according to several experts.
The Rise of AI Agents
The intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain became a hot topic in 2024.
For several years, distributed ledger technology was primarily used to decentralise infrastructure and information. In 2024, however, a shift occurred: crypto projects began focusing on developing agents—AI bots capable of performing various tasks such as token trading, investment management, and user interaction.
The first notable example of a chatbot’s emergence was Truth Terminal. Developed in March 2024, this AI drew attention for its witty responses on X and integration with a crypto wallet. In July 2024, venture investor Marc Andreessen donated $50,000 worth of bitcoins to the bot.
Truth Terminal inspired a user to create the meme coin Goatseus Maximus (GOAT). The token’s developer sent part of the issuance to the bot, making it a millionaire.
Another striking example of AI and cryptocurrency convergence was the ai16z project—a tokenised, community-managed fund.
How Do AI Agents Work with Blockchain?
An AI agent on the blockchain is essentially a smart contract capable of executing actions independently without human approval, noted Mode founder James Ross. Developers can configure a neural network to perform transactions when certain conditions are met. Thus, each agent can function as a decentralised application with its utility token.
Ross anticipates the emergence of new applications using agents that will manage crypto wallets, sign keys, control and verify nodes on the blockchain, and conduct transactions for others. This will enhance user experience and automate asset interaction within the network.
Crypto researcher and GatlingX founder Eito Miyamura believes there are numerous ways to integrate AI with blockchain, but payments represent the ideal product in this direction. Agents can operate without the regulatory constraints faced by traditional payment systems.
“The ideal use case for AI agents is when you want a bot to work and conduct cryptocurrency payments, purchases, and financial operations. Digital assets are indeed an intriguing area,” he noted.
Ross added that crypto assets allow for the creation of non-custodial wallets and free transactions.
Humans Still Needed
Most AI agents are “semi-autonomous.” They operate under human supervision and are far from achieving full independence. Essentially, they serve as extensions for developers, noted Miyamura.
Ross added that verifying AI operations on the blockchain requires human oversight until a reliable method of autonomous monitoring is developed. However, the emergence of fully independent neural networks in distributed ledgers is a matter of time.
Promising Directions for AI Agents in 2025
Messari’s sales director Jack Purdy believes that 2024 laid the groundwork for AI agents, and 2025 will allow them to scale. The expert highlighted three trends that will accelerate evolution:
- the spread of agent-human interaction. Decentralised social networks like Warpcast have demonstrated AI’s ability to launch tokens, trade autonomously, and interact with the community. The latter will become a defining feature of the online experience;
- dominance in on-chain financial activity. As AI agents capable of optimising trades, managing wallets, and automating profit strategies are developed, the infrastructure will become more autonomous. The efficiency of blockchain combined with the adaptability of agents makes the digital asset environment preferable for AI fund managers;
- agent-led ecosystems will transform gaming and entertainment. Projects like Wayfinder and Parallel Colony from Echelon Prime point to a future where neural networks not only participate in games but also coordinate strategies, manage assets, and oversee the entire in-game economy. They blur the lines between players, developers, and automated participants.
“While the applications we’ve seen so far—from meme coins to agent-led communities—may seem experimental, they represent a preliminary forecast of the impact these agents will have as they spread,” Purdy emphasised.
Previously, a developer known as Kyle stated that contrary to popular belief, AI agents will cease to be the dominant narrative in the crypto industry within the next few months.
In December, the organisation behind the ai16z project, Eliza Labs, partnered with Stanford University to explore the integration of neural networks with digital assets.