Author: 0xJeff, AI Investor
Compiled by: Ismay, BlockBeats
Remember the L2 craze of 2022-2023?
The best strategy at the time was to accumulate leading DEXs, top lending markets, Solidly fork projects, LST, yield optimizers, and so on. Everyone was chasing token issuance, participating in airdrops to earn tokens, or injecting TVL into L2 platforms like Blast to earn points.
That period was chaotic, but it did work (at least for a few months).
Now, the same enthusiasm is resurfacing, but this time, the rules have completely changed.
The Agent ecosystem is reshaping our perception of the market, with a structure that is entirely different from the past.
No VC Dominance
In the L2 era, token distribution always followed a fixed formula:
15-30% for the team, 10-30% for VCs and KOLs, and the rest for incentives and rewards.
But in the Agent ecosystem, the situation is completely different. The tokens are 100% community-owned, with the team possibly reserving 5% for incentives, and the rest freely circulating in the market.
What does this mean?
Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the purchase, without worrying about VC unlocks or insider selloffs. If you want to gain exposure, you need to take on the same market risks as everyone else.
What about the KOL OTC allocation rounds?
Some projects do offer discounted OTC trades, but usually:
- The scale is strictly limited;
- Priority is given to partners who are highly aligned with the ecosystem, such as DAOs or influential supporters of the ecosystem development.
This is no longer a "VC carries the sedan, retail takes the bag" model, but a fairer and more streamlined system that truly puts the power in the hands of the community.
No "Copy-Paste" Trend
At least not like in the DeFi space, where projects from Uniswap to Liquity have been repeatedly forked, with little to no innovation.
Here, everything revolves around entirely new innovations. Developers are not simply copying existing projects, but are launching new Agents and new use cases at a pace that is hard to keep up with.
Why is this the case?
- AI applications iterate faster: they don't require months of auditing;
- Most Agents are launched in weeks, not months;
- The entire space is vibrant, experimental, and creative.
There is something new and exciting almost every week, and as AI technology continues to evolve, the narratives around Web3 AI Agents are constantly evolving.
A Completely New User Acquisition Model
In traditional DeFi, users need to:
- Find the project's website;
- Spend time understanding the product;
- Possibly interact with the product.
But Agents have completely disrupted this, bringing the product directly to the user.
For example, @aixbt_agent provides valuable information in real-time on CT (Crypto Twitter). Users immediately feel the value, become interested, and explore further. Eventually, they will purchase the token to fully unlock the product's functionality.
This "interact first, then transact" funnel model is more effective. As on-chain transaction Agents and DeFi Agents become more prevalent, this model is expected to dominate by 2025.
Highly Curated Ecosystems
No longer thousands of scattered L2s and dApps, but tightly connected ecosystems like these:
- @virtuals_io (Base)
- @ai16zdao (Solana)
- @daosdotworld (Base)
- @daosdotfun (Solana)
What's different?
Developers are no longer attracted by subsidies or incentive mechanisms, but naturally flow in because there are:
- Fair-launched token economic models;
- Passionate communities;
- Opportunities to experiment and innovate in an exciting field.
This is the result of fair launches combined with continuous innovation. Developers, investors, and the community work together to drive the growth and development of the ecosystem.
How to Position Yourself in This Agent Cycle
It feels like the early days of L1s - but with a much faster pace. Reflecting on 2020-2021, many L1s reached valuations over $100 billion. The same potential exists here.
If you want to position yourself, you can look at these Agent-related L1s:
- $VIRTUAL
- $AI16Z
- $ZEREBRO
- $GRIFFAIN
- $BULLY
- $AR
But don't just chase the current hot projects. Look for:
- Undervalued opportunities outside the current narrative;
- Teams that are fast-moving, good storytellers, and can build market awareness.
For more information, you can refer to this guide:
Welcome to the New Era
The Agent ecosystem is not just a new L1, it is a completely different market structure - faster, more streamlined, and more community-driven than ever before.
We are entering a cycle that may reshape the way Web3 innovation operates, and the journey to reach valuations over $100 billion has just begun.
Join us, friends, for this exciting journey!
