AI Tokens: A New Bubble or Real Growth Engine for Web3? — Analysis by Artavion

In 2024–2025, amid the explosive growth of generative AI, a new segment has emerged in the crypto space: AI tokens. These digital assets are issued by projects that combine blockchain with artificial intelligence.

Some, like SingularityNET (AGIX), Fetch.ai (FET), and Ocean Protocol (OCEAN), have seen price increases ranging from 200% to 1200% in less than 18 months. But is there real technology behind the hype, or are we looking at another speculative bubble?

At Artavion, we see this as a transitional phase: the hype is already here, while real engineering is just beginning. This creates unique opportunities — and risks.

Who Leads the AI Token Sector Today?

As of mid-2025, three projects dominate:

• SingularityNET (AGIX)— a decentralized marketplace for AI agents;
• ai (FET)— a protocol for autonomous agents in smart cities and IoT;
• Ocean Protocol (OCEAN)— a tokenized platform for data exchange and training model datasets.

The total market cap of the top 10 AI tokens has surpassed $15 billion, rivaling major Layer-1 blockchains.

Why Is the AI Token Sector Growing So Fast?

1. Massive interest in AI.
   After the success of OpenAI and ChatGPT, the entire market — including crypto investors — turned toward artificial intelligence.
2. Lack of direct AI investment access.
   Most AI companies are private. Tokens became the only accessible way for retail and crypto investors to join the trend.
3. New monetization models.
   Tokenized access to AI agents, decentralized data sales, and marketplace models are creating a real on-chain economy.

 Is There Tech Behind the Tokens?

Critics argue that many AI tokens are more marketing than tech — and there’s truth in that:

• AI in these projects is often narrow and unstable;
• Decentralized AI infrastructure is not yet scalable;
• Most MVPs still rely on centralized data centers.

Artavion sees this as a natural stage: the bubble forms in anticipation of mature solutions — and will likely filter out the strongest players.

 What’s New in AI + Blockchain?

Despite speculation, real innovation is happening:

• Networks of autonomous AI agents:ai and AGIX are building architectures for device and logistics node interactions.
• Data monetization:Ocean Protocol is launching secure channels for selling datasets.
• AI in DeFi:Neural-network-driven protocols are automating portfolio management and on-chain analytics.

 What’s Next for the AI Token Market?

Leaders will strengthen: AGIX, FET, and others are already partnering with Big Tech.
Meme tokens will vanish: Dozens of “whitepaper-only” projects have been delisted.
Real-world integration: AI + blockchain are moving into logistics, finance, and smart mobility. Forecasted market size: $40–50B by 2027.

Conclusion from Artavion

AI tokens today are a classic growth bubble — short-term speculation but backed by long-term innovation potential.

Like the internet in the early 2000s, this sector is building the platforms, models, and protocols that will power the digital economy of the future.

Winners will be those who:

• build real AI infrastructure;
• tokenize value, not buzzwords;
• earn trust through transparency and engineering.