Barry Silbert Bets on Decentralized AI as the Next Crypto Frontier
Crypto investment leader Barry Silbert has identified decentralized AI (deAI) as a transformative opportunity, potentially surpassing even Bitcoin in impact. In a recent shareholder letter from Digital Currency Group (DCG), Silbert outlined his vision for merging AI advancements with blockchain technology—a combo he believes could outpace centralized systems like OpenAI.
"We’re moving from the digital ownership of assets to the decentralized ownership of intelligence and the availability of vast decentralized compute resources," Silbert wrote.
Why deAI?
- Ownership Revolution: Crypto could democratize access to and governance of AI models.
- DCG’s $105M Investments: Backing over a dozen projects, including Bittensor, a crypto network focused on machine learning.
- Bittensor’s TAO Token: Compared to Bitcoin for its design, though its $2.7B market cap pales against BTC’s $2T.
👉 Explore how decentralized AI is reshaping tech
DCG’s Strategy for 2025
- Ecosystem Support: Launching incubators like Yuma for Bittensor infrastructure.
- Investment Products: Grayscale now offers TAO-linked options.
- Rebuilding Year: DCG stabilized post-FTX, with all five business units thriving in 2024.
FAQ
Q: How does deAI differ from traditional AI?
A: Decentralized AI operates on blockchain networks, enabling open access and community governance, unlike corporate-controlled models.
Q: What’s Bittensor’s role in deAI?
A: It’s a protocol for decentralized machine learning, incentivizing collaboration via crypto rewards.
Q: Why is Silbert so bullish on deAI?
A: He sees parallels to Bitcoin’s early days—but with broader implications for democratizing intelligence.