Executives in the Web3 industry believe that 2025 will be the year of AI-powered agents.
Introduction
As we enter the year 2025, the decentralized community is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Artificial intelligence agents (AIs) will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Web3, with cryptocurrency staking and onchain trading emerging as early use cases. Industry executives share their insights on how AIs will impact the digital economy, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Agentic AIs: The New Normal
Agentic AIs – machines pursuing complex goals autonomously – are already reshaping the digital economy. They’re building Web3 applications, launching tokens, and interacting with humans independently. In 2025, these agents are expected to take on a more prominent role within decentralized communities.
"AI agents are expected to take on a more prominent role within decentralized communities," said J.D. Seraphine, a Web3 AI developer at Raiinmaker. "They will be driving innovation and growth in the space."
The Rise of Agentic AIs
As of December 2024, Web3 hosts approximately 10,000 AI agents, collectively earning millions of dollars each week from onchain activities (VanEck). This number is expected to swell to over 1 million by the end of 2025. The potential universe of AI agents interacting with crypto is infinite, according to Matt Hougan, asset manager Bitwise’s head of research.
"The potential universe of AI agents interacting with crypto is infinite," said Hougan. "We’ll see a lot of experiments, but only a few will stick."
Early Use Cases
Cryptocurrency staking on behalf of human tokenholders is a viable early use case for agentic AIs. Staking involves securing a blockchain network by locking up tokens with validators in exchange for a cut of transaction fees.
"We’ll see a lot of experiments, but only a few will stick," said Hougan. "AI agents participating in staking, for example, seems like a logical first step."
Challenges Ahead
While agentic AIs hold promise, they also face significant challenges. Technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and centralization are just a few of the obstacles that lie ahead.
"Without decentralization, centralized, misaligned systems will drive us off a cliff," said Michael Casey, co-founder of the Decentralized AI Society. "Especially with AI."
Regulatory Hurdles
As AIs become increasingly sophisticated, they’ll face increasing pressure to be regulated. Big players like OpenAI are lobbying for rules that align with their own models, potentially disadvantaging decentralized AIs.
"AI will face increasing pressure to be regulated," said Casey. "And big players like OpenAI are lobbying for rules that align with their own models."
Creating Viable Decentralized AI Agents
Creating viable decentralized AI agents depends on finding decentralized solutions to ensure high-quality training data while safeguarding user privacy, according to Seraphine.
"Decentralized solutions to ensure high-quality training data while safeguarding user privacy are crucial," said Seraphine. "We need to make sure that our AIs are transparent and accountable."
Opportunities for Investors
For investors, it’s essential to recognize the significance of agentic AIs in Web3 and position themselves for exposure.
"It’s okay not to know exactly what will happen as long as you recognize the significance and position yourself for exposure," said Hougan. "We’re on the cusp of a significant transformation."
Conclusion
In conclusion, artificial intelligence agents will transform Web3 in 2025, with cryptocurrency staking and onchain trading emerging as early use cases. While challenges lie ahead, industry executives remain optimistic about the potential of AIs to drive innovation and growth in the space.
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