Top 15 AI Crypto Coins to Know in 2024

2024/05/24 08:50:00

Top 15 AI Crypto Coins to Know in 2024-25

The integration of AI and blockchain technology combines the analytical and decision-making capabilities of AI with the transparency, security, and decentralization of blockchain. This synergy enables innovative applications like decentralized AI marketplaces, enhanced fraud detection, and efficient data sharing. Together, these technologies are transforming industries by creating trustless systems that optimize processes and unlock new use cases, from financial automation to personalized user experiences.

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AI and Big Data tokens’ market cap | Source: CoinMarketCap

In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly advanced, notably influencing the cryptocurrency market. AI and big data tokens have experienced a remarkable 131% increase in market capitalization since June 8, reaching $42.1 billion by November 19. This surge is largely attributed to the ongoing Bitcoin bull run and growing investor confidence.

Nvidia's Influence on the AI Crypto Market

Nvidia, a leading AI chip manufacturer, has played a pivotal role in this transformation. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, Nvidia reported a remarkable revenue increase to $26 billion, a 262% rise from the previous year, driven by soaring demand for AI products, particularly in data centers. This impressive performance led to a surge in Nvidia's stock price, reflecting strong investor confidence in the AI sector's growth.

Additionally, the integration of AI into blockchain technologies has led to the development of innovative projects, such as AICombinator—a $5 million fund launched by ai16z and Ryze Labs to support developers merging AI and blockchain.

These developments underscore the transformative impact of AI on the crypto industry, highlighting the dynamic interplay between these cutting-edge technologies.

The Appeal of AI and Blockchain Integration

The integration of AI into blockchain technology offers several compelling advantages:

Enhanced Security and Efficiency: The fusion of blockchain's secure data storage with AI's predictive analytics enhances security measures and operational efficiency, enabling real-time fraud detection and the automation of complex decision-making processes.
Advanced Data Management: AI's data analysis capabilities, combined with blockchain's transparency, facilitate sophisticated data management solutions, including the development of decentralized AI marketplaces that democratize access to AI technologies.
Increased Trust and Transparency: The inherent transparency of blockchain, coupled with AI's decision-making capabilities, fosters greater user trust and confidence in digital transactions.
Cost Reduction and Personalization: The automation and optimization enabled by AI and blockchain can significantly reduce operational costs. Additionally, AI's ability to analyze user behavior leads to more personalized experiences in blockchain applications.
Cross-Industry Applications: The synergy between AI and blockchain extends across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and supply chain management, offering innovative solutions and efficiencies.

These benefits highlight why AI has garnered substantial attention within the blockchain industry, driving the development of AI-powered crypto projects that are transforming the digital landscape.

Top AI Crypto Projects to Watch

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Top AI and Big Data coins’ performance in Oct-Nov 2024 | Source: CoinMarketCap

While blockchain technology is far younger and has been around for fewer years than AI, several industry projects are already developing artificial intelligence-based solutions on the blockchain. As a crypto investor, if you are looking to get into the AI trend, here are some of the most popular AI crypto projects you could consider, based on their popularity, use cases, market cap, and recent and upcoming developments:

1. NEAR Protocol (NEAR)

NEAR Protocol, launched in 2020, is a highly scalable and developer-friendly blockchain platform designed to support decentralized applications (dApps). It utilizes an innovative sharding mechanism called Nightshade, which divides the blockchain into smaller segments (shards) to improve transaction throughput and efficiency. This architecture allows NEAR to handle thousands of transactions per second with low fees, making it an attractive choice for developers building on Web3. The platform's ecosystem includes tools and features like NEAR Wallet, NEAR Explorer, and developer-friendly libraries, enhancing accessibility and usability.

In 2024, NEAR has made significant strides in integrating artificial intelligence into its ecosystem. It unveiled plans to develop a 1.4 trillion-parameter open-source AI model, emphasizing democratized access to cutting-edge AI capabilities. The platform also introduced NEAR Intents, a feature that facilitates seamless interactions between AI agents, users, and services, enabling asset exchanges and data sharing. The NEAR token serves as a utility for transaction fees, governance participation, and staking rewards. As part of the AI and big data sector, NEAR's advancements in AI and blockchain interoperability have cemented its position as a top AI-powered crypto project to watch. The largest cryptocurrency in this category, NEAR Protocol has a market cap of over $6.7 billion as of November 2024.

2. Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET)

The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI) is a collaborative initiative formed in March 2024 by Fetch.ai, SingularityNET, and Ocean Protocol, three prominent decentralized AI projects. This alliance aims to create the largest open-source, independent platform for AI research and development, focusing on building decentralized Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) that benefit humanity. By merging their respective tokens—FET, AGIX, and OCEAN—into a unified token named ASI, the alliance seeks to democratize access to AI technology and foster innovation across various sectors. As of November 2024, the merged token is still called FET and will migrate to ASI in Phase 2.

In 2024, the ASI token underwent significant developments, including a token merger process that began in July, consolidating AGIX and OCEAN tokens into FET before transitioning to the ASI ticker symbol. This strategic move aimed to streamline the token ecosystem and enhance the utility of the ASI token within the alliance's decentralized AI platform. Market performance has been notable, with the FET token's market capitalization reaching approximately $3.3 billion at the time of writing, positioning it among the top 50 cryptocurrencies by market cap. This growth reflects increasing investor confidence in AI-powered cryptocurrencies and the alliance's potential to drive advancements in AI and blockchain integration.

3. Arkham (ARKM)

Arkham (ARKM) is a blockchain analytics platform that aims to deanonymize blockchain transactions, providing transparency and intelligence within the crypto ecosystem. Founded in 2020, Arkham utilizes advanced artificial intelligence to analyze on-chain data, linking blockchain addresses to real-world entities. This capability enables users to monitor the activities of significant market participants, investigate fraudulent activities, and track investments by venture capitalists. A notable feature of Arkham is the Intel Exchange, a decentralized marketplace where users can buy and sell information about crypto addresses and entities, fostering a community-driven intelligence economy.

The ARKM token serves multiple functions within the Arkham ecosystem. It is used to access the platform's intelligence services, participate in governance decisions, and engage in the Intel Exchange. In July 2023, Arkham conducted a token sale on Binance Launchpad, distributing 50 million ARKM tokens at $0.05 each, raising $2.5 million. By March 2024, the ARKM token's price had surged to $3.98, reflecting strong market interest. As of November 2024, ARKM is trading at approximately $1.99, with a market capitalization of around $626 million. Arkham's innovative approach to blockchain intelligence, combined with its AI-driven analytics and decentralized marketplace, positions it as a leading project in the AI-crypto sector.

4. Grass Network (GRASS)

Grass Network is a decentralized platform that enables users to monetize their unused internet bandwidth by contributing to a distributed web scraping system. By running the Grass application, participants' devices function as nodes that collect public web data, which is then processed and structured for training artificial intelligence models. This approach not only provides users with passive income but also supports the development of AI by supplying valuable datasets.

Launched in 2024, Grass Network has rapidly expanded, boasting over 3 million active users who collectively scrape petabytes of data for AI applications. The platform operates on the Solana blockchain, utilizing its high-speed and low-cost transaction capabilities to manage data flow and reward distribution efficiently. The native GRASS token serves multiple purposes within the ecosystem, including compensating users for their bandwidth contributions and facilitating transactions related to data access and AI services. As of November 20, 2024, GRASS is trading at approximately $2.46, with a market capitalization of around $600 million, reflecting significant growth and investor interest in the project.

Here’s more on how to earn passive income on Grass Network.

5. Shieldeum (SDM)

Shieldeum is an innovative Web3 cybersecurity platform that leverages an AI-powered Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) to protect cryptocurrency users and Web3 enterprises. By utilizing advanced datacenter servers, Shieldeum offers services such as application hosting, data encryption, real-time threat detection, and high-performance computing. These services are designed to enhance internet security, ensure user anonymity, and safeguard digital assets from various threats. The platform's AI capabilities enable proactive monitoring and defense mechanisms, providing robust protection against cyberattacks and privacy breaches.

The native utility token, $SDM, plays a central role in the Shieldeum ecosystem. It facilitates access to premium AI-powered services, grants voting power within the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), and enables participation in node pools for staking and yield generation. Holding $100 or more worth of $SDM provides users with free access to Shieldeum's Encrypted Private Network (EPN), enhancing the token's utility. In 2024, Shieldeum has been actively expanding its services and infrastructure, aiming to onboard 100 million users within the next four years. The platform's unique combination of AI and decentralized infrastructure positions it as a significant player in the Web3 security landscape.

Here’s an in-depth analysis of the Shieldeum (SDM) project.

6. io.net (IO)

io.net is a decentralized GPU network designed to provide cost-effective and scalable computing power for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. By aggregating underutilized GPU resources from independent data centers, crypto miners, and consumer devices, io.net offers a vast, decentralized cloud infrastructure that enables AI startups and developers to access high-performance computing without the need for significant capital investment. This approach not only democratizes access to AI computing resources but also addresses the global shortage of GPU capacity, facilitating innovation across various sectors.

In 2024, io.net made significant strides in the AI and crypto sectors. Notably, the platform partnered with Zero1 Labs to enhance decentralized AI development. This collaboration leverages io.net's GPU clusters to accelerate the training of AI agents for Zero1's open AI marketplace, Keymaker, providing developers with cost-effective compute power for deploying decentralized AI applications. Additionally, io.net raised $30 million in a Series A funding round, achieving a valuation of $1 billion. This funding is aimed at expanding its decentralized GPU network to meet the growing demand for AI and ML computing resources. The native IO token facilitates transactions within the ecosystem, rewarding GPU suppliers and enabling users to pay for computing services, thereby fostering a robust and efficient decentralized AI infrastructure.

7. Render (RENDER)

Render Network (RENDER) is a decentralized GPU rendering platform that connects creators in need of rendering services with providers who have idle GPU resources. By leveraging blockchain technology, it offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for rendering complex 3D graphics and animations. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize rendering tasks, ensuring efficient distribution and processing across its network. The native token, RENDER, facilitates transactions within the ecosystem, enabling users to pay for rendering services and incentivizing GPU providers to contribute their computational power.

Founded in 2017, Render Network has experienced significant developments in 2024. In March, it partnered with Stability AI, OTOY, and Endeavor to standardize and deploy new generative AI workflows on its platform, enhancing its capabilities in AI-driven rendering. By June, the network reported a 60.28% year-over-year increase in RENDER token utilization, reflecting growing demand for its services. Additionally, the integration of Redshift into its ecosystem has expanded its support for various 3D content creation tools, further solidifying its position in the market. These advancements have contributed to a surge in the value of RENDER tokens, with RENDER’s market cap crossing $4.1 billion as of November 2024.

8. Bittensor (TAO)

Bittensor (TAO) is an open-source protocol that powers a decentralized, blockchain-based machine learning network. It enables machine learning models to train collaboratively, rewarding them in TAO tokens based on the informational value they contribute to the collective. This approach fosters a marketplace for artificial intelligence, allowing consumers and producers to interact in a trustless, open, and transparent environment. Bittensor's native cryptocurrency, TAO, plays a pivotal role in incentivizing participation and contribution to the network. With a fixed total supply of 21 million tokens, mirroring Bitcoin's supply, TAO ensures that the development and distribution of AI technology are democratized and rewarded fairly.

In 2024, Bittensor has garnered significant attention from venture capital firms, with Polychain, Digital Currency Group, and dao5 investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the project. This influx of capital has been accompanied by TAO's listing on major exchanges like Binance and Crypto.com, enhancing its accessibility and liquidity. Market performance has been robust, with TAO's price experiencing substantial growth; for instance, it rallied 164% over a 30-day period, reaching a six-month high of $678 on October 7, 2024. This surge reflects growing investor confidence in decentralized AI solutions and Bittensor's unique approach to incentivizing machine learning contributions.

9. Goatseus Maximus (GOAT)

Goatseus Maximus (GOAT) is an AI memecoin that gained significant attention in late 2024. Launched on the Solana blockchain in October 2024, GOAT was created by an anonymous developer and quickly became popular due to its association with the AI bot known as Truth Terminal. Truth Terminal, designed for memetic engineering, began promoting GOAT, leading to a rapid increase in its market capitalization. By mid-November 2024, GOAT's market cap had surged to over $1 billion, reflecting its viral success and the growing influence of AI-driven narratives in the crypto space.

The GOAT token operates primarily as a meme coin, with its value largely driven by community engagement and social media trends. Its association with Truth Terminal, an AI bot that autonomously interacts with online culture, has been a key factor in its rise. This relationship highlights the potential of AI in influencing market dynamics and investor behavior within the cryptocurrency sector. Despite its meme origins, GOAT has been listed on several major exchanges, including Binance, where it has seen substantial trading volumes. As of November 20, 2024, GOAT is trading at approximately $1.11, with a 24-hour trading volume of over $416 million and a market cap of $1.1 billion. Investors should approach GOAT with caution, as its value is highly volatile and influenced by social media trends rather than fundamental utility.

10. Injective (INJ)

Injective (INJ) is an open, interoperable layer-one blockchain optimized for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Founded in 2018 by Eric Chen and Albert Chon, Injective provides developers with plug-and-play modules to create diverse financial applications, including decentralized exchanges, prediction markets, and lending protocols. The platform emphasizes interoperability, enabling seamless communication with other blockchains through the Cosmos SDK and the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.

In November 2024, Injective launched iAgent, a software development kit (SDK) that allows users to create on-chain AI agents capable of automating blockchain tasks using natural language commands. The SDK integrates with OpenAI’s large language models to facilitate tasks like instant payments on the Injective network, order placement across decentralized exchanges, and wallet balance checks through AI-driven commands.

The native utility token, INJ, plays a pivotal role in the ecosystem, serving functions such as governance, staking for network security, and participating in token burn auctions. Notably, 60% of all fees collected from decentralized applications (dApps) are auctioned off weekly via a buy-back and burn mechanism, contributing to the token's deflationary nature. As of November 20, 2024, INJ is trading at approximately $12.50, reflecting a 15% increase over the past month, indicating growing investor confidence in Injective's innovative approach to integrating AI with blockchain technology.

11. Akash Network (AKT)

Akash Network (AKT) is a decentralized cloud computing marketplace that enables users to buy and sell computing resources securely and efficiently. Founded in 2018, Akash aims to democratize access to cloud services by leveraging underutilized computing capacity worldwide. The platform operates as a decentralized marketplace where providers can monetize their idle computing resources, and users can access affordable and scalable cloud services. This model promotes cost efficiency and fosters a competitive environment for cloud services.

In 2024, Akash Network made significant strides in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The launch of the Supercloud for AI introduced support for NVIDIA GPUs, including H100s and A100s, facilitating resource-intensive AI workloads. This development attracted AI developers seeking scalable and cost-effective solutions for training and deploying AI models. The native token, AKT, serves multiple functions within the ecosystem, including staking for network security, governance participation, and as a medium of exchange for computing resources. As of November 2024, AKT is trading at approximately $3.90, reflecting a 70% increase in revenue in Q3 2024, driven by heightened demand for AI workloads.

12. ChainGPT (CGPT)

ChainGPT (CGPT) is an advanced AI model specifically designed for blockchain technology and cryptocurrency applications. Launched in 2023, it offers a suite of AI-powered tools and services, including smart contract generation, blockchain analytics, and market predictions. By leveraging state-of-the-art algorithms and high-speed computing, ChainGPT aims to streamline complex processes within the crypto space, making blockchain technology more accessible and efficient for developers and users alike.

The native utility token, CGPT, plays a central role in the ChainGPT ecosystem. It is used to access various AI tools and services, participate in governance decisions, and stake for rewards. In 2024, ChainGPT introduced several key developments, including the launch of an AI NFT generator and enhancements to its AI chatbot, further expanding its service offerings. As of November 20, 2024, CGPT is trading at approximately $0.12, with a 24-hour trading volume of $3.2 million and a market capitalization of approximately $93 million.

Learn more about how ChainGPT works.

13. OriginTrail (TRAC)

OriginTrail (TRAC) is a decentralized knowledge graph protocol designed to enhance data integrity and interoperability across various industries, including supply chain management, healthcare, and finance. Founded in 2011, OriginTrail leverages blockchain technology to create a secure and transparent environment for data sharing among organizations. Its Decentralized Knowledge Graph (DKG) enables entities to publish, discover, and verify data efficiently, fostering trust and collaboration in complex ecosystems.

In 2024, OriginTrail made significant advancements by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform. This integration enhances data analytics and decision-making processes, allowing users to derive deeper insights from interconnected datasets. The TRAC token serves as the utility token within the OriginTrail ecosystem, facilitating network operations such as publishing and updating assets, serving as collateral on nodes, and participating in governance decisions. As of November 2024, TRAC is trading at approximately $0.95, with a 24-hour trading volume of $5.1 million and a market capitalization of $386 million.

14. Covalent X Token (CQT)

Covalent, established in 2017, is a blockchain data provider that offers a unified API, granting developers access to comprehensive, granular, and historical blockchain data across over 225 blockchains. This extensive dataset is instrumental in powering various applications, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and enterprise solutions. By leveraging its robust data infrastructure, Covalent addresses the challenges of long-term data availability and verifiability, which are crucial for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) models within the blockchain ecosystem.

In 2024, Covalent underwent significant developments to enhance its services and align with the evolving blockchain landscape. A notable change was the migration from its original token, CQT, to a new token, CXT, to better represent the network's objectives and support its expanded mission. This transition included migrating staking contracts and governance mechanisms to Ethereum, providing CXT to existing CQT holders, and increasing overall token liquidity. Additionally, Covalent secured $5 million in strategic funding and launched the "New Dawn Initiative," aiming to strengthen its position as a leading modular data infrastructure layer dedicated to solving long-term data availability and verifiability challenges in AI. As of November 20, 2024, CXT is trading at approximately $0.068, with a 24-hour trading volume of $5.2 million and a market capitalization of $59.2 million.

15. Marlin (POND)

Marlin, established in 2019, is an open protocol designed to enhance the performance of dApps by providing a high-performance programmable network infrastructure. Its network nodes, known as Metanodes, operate the MarlinVM, offering developers a virtual router interface to deploy customized overlays and perform edge computations. This architecture aims to improve the scalability and efficiency of blockchain networks, facilitating faster and more reliable communication between nodes.

The Marlin ecosystem utilizes two tokens: POND and MPOND. POND is used for staking validator nodes, participating in governance proposals, and compensating users from an insurance fund in case of service level agreement breaches. MPOND, with a total supply cap of 10,000, serves as a governance token, allowing holders to vote on network upgrades and resource allocations. In 2024, Marlin focused on expanding its ecosystem by integrating with various blockchain platforms and enhancing its network infrastructure to support a broader range of dApps. As of November 2024, POND is trading at approximately $0.016, with a market capitalization of $129 million and a 24-hour trading volume of $30.7 million.

Benefits and Risks of Investing in AI Tokens

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology has led to the emergence of AI crypto tokens, offering unique investment opportunities. However, it's essential to assess both the potential benefits and inherent risks before considering such investments.

Benefits of Investing in AI Crypto Tokens

Innovation and Growth Potential: AI crypto projects are at the forefront of technological advancements, combining AI's capabilities with blockchain's security and transparency. This fusion has led to significant market interest, with AI and big data tokens experiencing a 131% increase in market capitalization since June 2024, reaching $42.1 billion by November 19, 2024.
Portfolio Diversification: Investing in AI tokens provides exposure to emerging technologies and markets, potentially reducing overall portfolio risk. The AI sector's rapid expansion offers new avenues for investment beyond traditional assets.
Decentralization and Transparency: AI projects utilizing blockchain benefit from decentralized networks, enhancing security and transparency. This structure can lead to more robust and trustworthy AI applications.
Community Engagement: Many AI crypto projects operate as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), allowing investors to participate in governance and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and involvement.
Potential for High Returns: The nascent stage of many AI crypto projects presents opportunities for substantial returns. For instance, certain AI tokens have seen significant price increases, reflecting growing investor confidence in their potential.

Risks Associated with AI Crypto Tokens

Market Volatility: AI crypto tokens are subject to high volatility, with prices influenced by market sentiment, technological developments, and regulatory news. Investors should be prepared for significant price fluctuations.
Regulatory Uncertainty: The evolving regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies and AI technologies can impact the viability and legality of AI crypto projects. Changes in regulations may affect project operations and token values.
Technological and Operational Risks: As emerging technologies, AI and blockchain projects may face technical challenges, including security vulnerabilities and scalability issues, which could affect their success.
Speculative Nature: Many AI crypto projects are in early development stages, and their long-term viability is uncertain. Investments in such projects can be highly speculative.

Closing Thoughts: Should You Buy AI Coins?

Investing in AI crypto tokens presents an exciting opportunity to tap into innovative technologies at the forefront of the digital economy. With AI and big data tokens surging 131% in market capitalization amid the ongoing Bitcoin rally, the sector demonstrates immense growth potential. These tokens provide exposure to cutting-edge advancements in AI and blockchain, making them an attractive option for forward-thinking investors.

However, the market remains volatile and speculative, with risks such as regulatory uncertainty and technological challenges. While the potential for high returns exists, thorough research and a clear understanding of the associated risks are essential. Diversifying your portfolio and investing only what you can afford to lose can help mitigate potential downsides. If you're looking to diversify into emerging markets and have a high risk tolerance, AI crypto tokens could be a compelling addition to your investment strategy.