 ▲ Ethereum (ETH) |
As the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain accelerates, Ethereum (ETH) is being reexamined as a next-generation “leading AI coin.”
According to investment media outlet The Motley Fool on Feb. 16 (local time), major investors including Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, have consistently raised the potential for convergence between AI and cryptocurrencies over the past two years. While Render, Bittensor, and the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance had been cited as strong candidates, all are currently trading significantly below their all-time highs.
The outlet instead suggested that Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, could be a compelling alternative. Its market capitalization stands at approximately $242 billion, with a price of $2,005.88 at the time of writing. Its 52-week price range was recorded between $1,398.62 and $4,946.05.
Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin recently reiterated his view that blockchain could serve as suitable infrastructure for AI. He explained that with its speed, scalability, and decentralized architecture, blockchain can function as the economic base layer for AI, providing new tools to interact with powerful AI models without relying on centralized IT corporations. He further projected that AI agents could potentially meet, collaborate, and settle payments for services among themselves.
Under an optimistic scenario, a surge in AI projects could directly translate into increased value for Ethereum. Similar to how it led the decentralized finance (DeFi) movement through smart contracts in the past, proponents argue that if Ethereum secures a leading position in the AI sector, its current price level of around $2,000 may be undervalued.
However, some caution that this vision may be overly idealistic. Since monetization models are central to the AI industry, bridging the gap between decentralized philosophy and commercial reality remains a challenge. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that various AI projects—including ChainGPT, Assemble AI, and Virtuals Protocol, as tracked by DappRadar—are growing within the Ethereum ecosystem. The outlet assessed that the convergence of AI and cryptocurrency is a long-term trend to watch, with Ethereum potentially at its center.
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