After weeks of hovering between a total AI crypto market cap of $6.5–7 billion—down over 70% from January highs—signs of renewal are in the air. In the latest episode of the AI Rollup, Ejaaz and David highlight a sector that’s rediscovering its momentum, even as rumors swirl of Elon offering $97 billion for OpenAI. Below are the key takeaways on how the AI and crypto worlds might evolve next:
1. The AI Crypto Rebound
Despite the turbulent start to February, several leading AI tokens—like ARK, AI16z, and Cookie—have seen double-digit rebounds. This isn’t just a random pump; code commits on GitHub are up significantly, and more ambitious projects are launching than at any time in the last month. Builders stayed heads down during the downturn, and now the fruits of their labor are showing up in everything from curated launchpads to novel agent frameworks.
2. Elon’s Rumored $97B Bid for OpenAI
Brief though it was in the conversation, the rumored buyout by Elon Musk injects a jolt of energy into the broader AI narrative. Whether it’s serious or classic Musk theater, it underscores how AI has become the world’s biggest tech race. For most people, gaining exposure to AI means either buying overvalued Big Tech stocks or looking at open-source crypto AI tokens. If the rumors are true, Elon may also be eyeing ways to cross over from Web2 to decentralized platforms.
3. ARC’s Curated Launchpad
One standout is ARC, which just launched its curated agent launchpad, ArcForge. Unlike open-for-all platforms, ARC is taking a more selective route: only high-quality, vetted agent projects get to debut. This ensures fewer copy-paste memes and more legitimate, value-driven agents—like Ask Jimmy, a multi-agent trading platform that uses on-chain data to make autonomous investment decisions. Combined with ARC’s new developer kits (in Rust and EVM) and sniper-prevention for token launches, it’s a step toward increasing trust in agent ecosystems.
4. Virtuals Expands to Solana
Another headline is Virtuals going cross-chain. Having made its name on Base, the team now introduces Virtuals on Solana. Early launches include a diverse set of agents—from sentiment apps to ones that optimize DeFi transactions—and the new VPN (Virtuals Partner Network) to vet and fund top teams. This not only diversifies user bases but also points to a future where multi-chain agent ecosystems become the norm—giving Solana, Ethereum, and Base a shot at equal mindshare.
5. X (Twitter) Embraces Agents
Speaking of multi-chain futures, X (formerly Twitter) shows new interest in hosting agent frameworks. Rather than banning automated accounts, they’re exploring ways to bring them into the fold—think specialized data access and X Payments integration. This shift could be huge for bridging AI-driven services with mainstream user bases, creating a “crypto mullet”: Web3 in the back, simple Web2 interfaces in front.
6. AI16z’s Evolution
Finally, AI16z—an early juggernaut in the AI token space—has reorganized its leadership, hiring new COOs and CPOs to shore up strategy. After significant market swings, they’re focusing on better tokenomics and more developer support. While some critics question their pace, the fact that inflows have returned to AI16z signals that many investors still believe in its open-source moat.
A Smarter AI Crypto Sector Ahead The AI crypto space is clearly maturing. We’re seeing more nuanced token launches, cross-chain expansions, and a push for real utility over mere speculation. From Elon’s headline-grabbing buyout rumor to curated launchpads that aim to raise the bar, the takeaway is that progress marches on—even when markets falter. Tune in to the full conversation for a deeper look at these emerging trends, and you may just come away with a sharper perspective on where AI and crypto are headed next.