Author: @Defi0xJeff
Compiled by: Vernacular Blockchain
Last year, when the narrative of AI agents was emerging, @virtuals_io became the first innovative launch platform to promote the concept of AI agent tokenization. Virtuals was the first to demonstrate the value of AI agent tokenization. Through the accumulation of token value, AI agent creators can provide initial support, ongoing maintenance, and training for their agents. This early innovation has enabled Virtuals to consolidate its position as the top AI agent distribution network on the Base chain.
1. Solana’s Competitive Growth
On the Solana chain, its highly centralized retail ecosystem has led to significant growth for AI agents. Unique AI agents are released every day, covering a wide range of narratives. However, despite the highly centralized ecosystem, Solana's agent release process remains relatively decentralized. Many agents choose to release on @pumpdotfun or rely on framework-agnostic platforms such as @vvaifudotfun and @TopHat_One.
Here’s more analysis on Solana’s dominance in the AI agent space (interested friends can check it out).
Due to the diversity of frameworks and ecosystems, there is no clear winner on Solana yet:
Framework: @ai16zdao, @0xzerebro, @arcdotfun, @pippinlovesyou
Launchpad: @vvaifudotfun, @TopHat_One
The market pays more attention to the quality of the framework, including the diversity of integration, customizability, and potential usage scenarios. Frameworks that do not launch their own platforms often fail to capture the full benefits of the AI agent value stream.
In contrast, Virtuals achieves value integration by providing a sandbox environment (such as GAME) for developers to test and supporting native publishing on its platform. This model not only increases the exposure and user awareness of the project, but also generates revenue through transaction fees (1-2%).
For more information on Virtuals’ value proposition, please see below (interested friends can check it out).
Platforms that only provide frameworks lose out by not being able to capture the full revenue opportunity, while launch platforms without unique frameworks have difficulty standing out. Frameworks like ai16z are increasing their visibility and network effects by building their own launch platforms. At the same time, some launch platforms are improving their competitiveness through technology integration, such as Bittensor Subnets and @autonolas Agent Marketplace, and have achieved remarkable results, such as @CreatorBid's agent projects $DKING, $EOLAS and $AION.
2. The rise of vertical startup platforms
The competitive market has given rise to specialized launchpads that focus on specific niches: 3D Model and Entertainment Launchpads Lifelike animations and smooth movements are powerful tools to attract attention in the field of AI agents. Visually appealing 3D models can help the community better connect with the product, thereby increasing interest and engagement.
@HoloworldAI established a leading position in the 3D audiovisual layer early on. One of its first 3D agents, @AVA_holo, quickly attracted attention and reached cooperation with major ecosystem players such as Virtuals and ai16z. Recently, Holoworld launched a no-code building tool to facilitate users to create visually appealing 3D agents. In addition, the launch platform has also introduced a staking mechanism through the launch pool, making $AVA a value capture tool with both framework and launch platform token functions, focusing on the release of 3D agents.
@MoemateAI operates an ecosystem focused on 3D and entertainment, with an existing Web2 user base of over 5 million. The platform has been covered by @a16zcrypto and TechCrunch, and its core expertise is in creating dynamic AI companions for desktop browsers, video games, and VR/AR platforms.
With the successful launch of $MATES, Moemate has established itself as an entertainment-focused, fun-oriented launchpad that provides a unique launch channel for AI agents that attract user engagement.
@youmio_ai, recently rebranded from "Today", has built a 3D agent creation platform designed for Virtuals and immersive gaming environments. The team focuses on developing sophisticated 3D worlds and no-code building tools, creating one of the most advanced 3D models in the crypto space.
Youmio comes from the background of Web3 gaming team, which provides it with a unique competitive advantage. Their perfect gaming system enables 3D agents to be directly integrated into the gameplay, enhancing its practicality and user interaction. This feature makes $LIMBO a token that has both framework and launch platform functions, similar to Holoworld's $AVA, but stands out with its unique "game first" strategy.
3. DeFAI / Abstraction Layer Pseudo Launch Platform
With the rise of the DeFAI concept, many abstraction layers have established their position as ecosystem leaders in this narrative. We are beginning to see some DeFAI leaders gradually evolve into "pseudo-launch platforms" to optimize user experience by improving the visibility of agents within the ecosystem.
@griffaindotcom is the first DeFAI abstraction layer designed to integrate and coordinate multiple agents within the ecosystem. Griffain's areas of expertise include alpha research, trade execution, and more. A star tool on its platform is @mobyagent, which is a notable example. Moby has gained wide recognition for its ability to capture trends early, such as the hot $VINE meme before it became popular, allowing Griffain users to get ahead of the curve.
This symbiotic relationship is critical: Griffain provides visibility and user base to Moby, while Moby provides utility and user engagement to Griffain. The result is a significant increase in user awareness and price performance (PA) for $MOBY. Griffain's ecosystem is gradually moving closer to Virtuals, but its focus on DeFAI makes Moby a core tool similar to Virtuals platform @luna_virtuals.
Similar success trajectories may also be seen on platforms such as @orbitcryptoai, @askthehive_ai, and @HeyAnonai if they can successfully integrate efficient proxying and token utility into their abstraction layers.
More on DeFAI / abstraction layers below (for those interested).
4. DeFAI / Trading Agent Launch Platform
The trading agent narrative is still in its early stages, and multiple ecosystem players are competing to develop the best no-code tools. These platforms enable users to design automated trading agents and pair them with tokens to raise funds for trading activities.
@Cod3xOrg stands out as the industry leader in the creation of trading agent platforms. The platform provides a range of tools that allow users to fine-tune every detail of their trading strategies. Here is a preview of their platform:
5. DeFAI / Trading Agent Launch Platform
Their recent beta launch further solidifies the value proposition of their flagship trading agent $TONY / @BigTonyXBT. Impressively, BigTony grew an initial $500 portfolio to $75,000 in about two months. Its trading history is publicly verifiable via Debank, demonstrating the huge potential of the platform.
@Almanak__ focuses on institutional-grade quantitative strategies, and its platform allows users to create and test agents designed for advanced quantitative trading methods. As a member of the @legiondotcc ecosystem, Almanak plans to open the beta version to Legion participants in mid-February.
Both Cod3x and Almanak have the potential to develop into trading agent-centric launch platforms. If their trading agents can continue to achieve excess returns, they will attract more attention and incentivize more users to publish trading agents in their ecosystems.
Cod3x has developed its own startup platform, makedotfun, which is backed by its stablecoin cdxUSD. This stablecoin provides extremely high liquidity on the platform, further strengthening the foundation of its ecosystem.
For more information about DeFAI/trading agent, please see below (interested friends can check it out).
6. Agentic Metaverse Launch Platform
1) @indiedotfun
@indiedotfun is a platform designed for game creators to simplify the creation process of independent games that include dynamic AI agents. The platform not only supports creators to easily build games, but also provides initial funding support for projects through a tokenized ecosystem, becoming a full-scale solution for the construction of the Web3 field.
2) Indie
Indie is working on building the launch platform of the "Agentic Metaverse" to enable Web3 games to release games, AI agents, and tokens at the same time. Recently, Indie announced a partnership with @ARCAgents to significantly enhance the capabilities of AI agents using ARC's Reinforcement Learning technology. This technology integration makes agents more interactive and dynamic, thereby enhancing the player experience in Indie games.
Through this partnership, Indie provides the "supply chain" or development pipeline for lightweight independent games, while ARC empowers agents in these games to make them more engaging. This collaborative relationship solves one of the key challenges facing early-stage games - player liquidity. By creating more engaging and dynamic game experiences, Indie can attract and retain more players.
For more information about Indiedotfun’s value proposition, please see below (interested friends can check it out).
7. Other launch platforms worth noting
1) @CryptoEternalAI, a decentralized AI framework and startup platform, recently opened the source code of its Solidity framework to make it easily accessible to developers across the ecosystem. This move aims to promote wider adoption and innovation of decentralized AI applications.
2) @modenetwork
A Layer 2 blockchain focused on DeFAI, supporting a variety of AI-driven decentralized applications (dApps) and unique DeFi products. Recently, Mode launched Mode Terminal, an abstraction layer designed to simplify coordination and development within its ecosystem. The launch of this feature further consolidates Mode's position as a hub for AI and DeFi innovation.
3) @daosdotfun and @daosdotworld
These two platforms serve as launchpads for InvestmentDAOs, enabling human and AI fund managers to raise funds through DAOTokens. Notable ecosystems that have emerged from these platforms include @ai16zdao, @aicceleratedao, and @hardwAIreDAO, which continue to push the boundaries in the field of decentralized fund management and AI integration.
4) @distilled_AI / @agentsdotland
A unique proxy launching platform running on @Solana and @Oraichain. Known for its top proxies @maxisbuyin_, @BlackRack_AI, and more, the platform offers a unique revenue sharing and staking model. This approach not only incentivizes proxy creators, but also aligns community stakeholders for sustainable growth.
8. Looking ahead/Summary
The launchpad landscape is evolving, with new players trying to carve out their own unique niches. Some of the things to look forward to include:
a startup platform equipped with no-code tools for creating digital twin agents that integrate with Twitter and other social media platforms;
A startup platform focused on context-aware conversational agents, tailored for interactions across multiple social media platforms;
A NSFW startup platform for AI creators, which has the potential to become a disruptor similar to the AI-driven version of OnlyFans;
A decentralized AI startup platform that leverages decentralized AI models and infrastructure to create a more open and collaborative ecosystem.
The core principles remain the same: For an ecosystem to succeed, frameworks and agent launch platforms must work together to maximize value capture. Synergies between strong frameworks and launch platforms that amplify their impact are critical to long-term growth.
Furthermore, the market will always reward launchpads that launch unique and value-added agents. Without standout agents that capture attention and imagination, the ecosystem will be at risk of being forgotten.
For investors, the formula for building a successful “AI Agent Distribution Network” has become clearer: Framework + Launch Platform + Uniqueness = Success Focusing on an ecosystem that can drive significant attention and price performance, investors will be able to discover the next batch of important players in this competitive field. Many of the potential leaders mentioned in this and previous articles have pointed out the direction for future development.
As the landscape matures, the competition around building engaging agents with seamless launch capabilities will only intensify. The battle for visibility continues, and those launch platforms that can combine creativity with functionality are most likely to shape the future of AI agents.
