Grayscale's digital asset management has announced the establishment of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Crypto Sector with 20 altcoins. This is the sixth category in their crypto sector classification framework.
The new sector joins existing categories including Currency, Smart Contract Platforms, Finance, Consumer and Culture, and Utilities and Services.
AI Becomes the Focus as Grayscale Introduces a Specialized Cryptocurrency Field
According to the official announcement, this new category groups tokens with primary functions revolving around AI development or use.
"The addition of the Artificial Intelligence Crypto Sector reflects the growing importance of decentralized infrastructure in shaping the future of this critical technology," Grayscale noted.
The AI Crypto Sector includes three main categories: AI Platforms, AI Tools and Resources, and AI Applications and Agents. These 20 tokens have a total market capitalization of around $21 billion, making it the smallest sector Grayscale covers.
The largest project by market capitalization in the new sector is Bittensor (TAO), with a market capitalization of $3.8 billion. The list also includes other tokens such as Near (NEAR), Render (RNDR), Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), Virtuals (VIRTUAL), and Worldcoin (WLD).
Grayscale's AI Crypto Sector. Source: GrayscaleNotably, previously in the Q2 2025 "Assets Under Consideration" list, the asset manager had removed Worldcoin from the Utilities and Services category and VIRTUAL from the Consumer and Culture category. However, they have returned in this new category.
Although the Artificial Intelligence Crypto Sector currently represents about 0.67% of the total crypto market capitalization, Grayscale expects this percentage to increase significantly.
"While we are in the early stages of the developing Artificial Intelligence Crypto Sector, Grayscale Research believes this sector will become increasingly important as technology in the AI industry develops and improves," the announcement stated.
Grayscale also pointed out that the total market capitalization of tokens in the Artificial Intelligence Crypto Sector was around $4.5 billion in Q1 2023.
In over two years, this value has increased more than fourfold. This expansion reflects growing interest and acceptance of decentralized AI. Moreover, the asset manager has identified important upcoming developments that could drive further growth.
"The development of decentralized AI technologies is progressing rapidly. In the coming months, Grayscale Research expects to focus on several key themes, including (1) Bittensor's halving event and subnet growth, (2) innovations in distributed training, (3) proof of sustainable revenue, and (4) stablecoin usage by AI agents," Grayscale said.
As the AI Crypto Sector continues to develop, Grayscale emphasizes the potential of these decentralized AI projects in addressing critical challenges posed by centralized AI development, such as bias, censorship, and lack of transparency.
By leveraging the open and distributed infrastructure of blockchain, these projects aim to democratize AI ownership and ensure that AI technologies remain accessible and aligned with public interests.
