Opinion by Alex O’Donnell: The Evolution of AI Memecoins into Utility Tokens
The world is on the cusp of a revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). Agentic AIs – machines pursuing complex goals autonomously – are already among us. They write code, run social media accounts, launch tokens, and worship internet memes. In 2025, AI agents will reshape Web3, and those who spot the winners will reap the rewards.
The Emergence of Agentic AIs
Agentic AIs are machines that can make decisions and take actions independently. They are not just simple algorithms or scripts; they have a level of autonomy that allows them to adapt and learn from their environment. These AI agents are already being used in various industries, from finance to healthcare.
One example is Truth Terminal, a large language model (LLM) with nearly 200,000 X followers. It has been known to endorse memecoins, including Goatseus Maximus (GOAT), which saw its market capitalization soar to $450 million just nine days after the endorsement.
The AI Coin Boom
Since October 2024, AI-themed memecoins have collectively bootstrapped more than $3 billion in market capitalization. Hundreds of these coins are now trading, but most are worthless. Only a handful will evolve into utility tokens and inherit a multibillion-dollar untapped market.
The endorsement of Goatseus Maximus by Truth Terminal was the catalyst for this AI coin boom. Memecoin-shilling chatbots swarmed Crypto Twitter, pumping nearly a dozen more coins past $100-million market caps.
From Memecoins to Utility Tokens
Permissionless blockchain networks are uniquely hospitable for AI agents. Bank accounts and physical addresses aren’t always necessary, and neither is legal personhood. Meanwhile, AI agents excel where it counts – they can deploy smart contracts, manage onchain treasuries, build communities, and even negotiate deals.
The Agentic Web is a concept that has been gaining traction in recent years. It refers to a network of decentralized apps (DApps) powered by agentic AIs on crypto rails. By 2030, agentic AIs could become a $47-billion market, adding some $4 trillion to the world’s economy annually.
Tokens will be the coordinating mechanism for agentic AI agents. Users can purchase a dedicated token to gain a stake in the agent and participate in decisions regarding its behavior, development, and upgrades.
The Agentic Web is Here
Memecoins like Zerebro are paving the way for the Agentic Web. Zerebro is an AI chatbot designed to autonomously create and distribute content across platforms such as Twitter, Warpcast, and Telegram. It has amassed nearly 45,000 X followers since launching in October.
Unlike Truth Terminal, Zerebro minted its eponymous token itself, specifying token parameters such as name, symbol, total supply, and distribution mechanisms. Its creators plan to launch decentralized finance protocols – including vaults and yield farming – to create new financial utilities for ZEREBRO.
Other AI memecoins, like Luna by Virtuals (LUNA) and ai16z, tout similar ambitions. Originally an AI TikTok influencer, Luna migrated to Web3 after being “canceled” due to its online presence. It now aims to build a community-driven fund that will help it buy back LUNA tokens.
The Future of Agentic AIs
Agentic AI tokens are still evolving. They will mostly fail, but some will develop meaningful utility, and dozens more will launch in 2025. Ignore the hype – these tokens are more than memecoins, and they are here to stay.
As we move forward into a world where agentic AIs play an increasingly prominent role, it is essential to understand their potential impact on our economy and society. The winners of this revolution will be those who can adapt and innovate in the face of rapid change.
The Author’s Perspective
Alex O’Donnell is a senior writer for Cointelegraph. He previously founded DeFi developer Umami Labs and worked for seven years as a financial journalist at Reuters, where he covered M&A and IPOs. He is also the crypto growth lead at startup accelerator, Expert Dojo.
This article is for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
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