Grayscale Unveils Its Top AI Crypto Tokens for 2025 Community Reacts
By CryptoInvestar Desk
Grayscale, one of the world’s leading digital asset management firms, has unveiled what it considers the most promising AI-driven cryptocurrencies of 2025.
The company listed 20 tokens that it says represent the most significant players within the AI and decentralized computing sector sparking both excitement and criticism across the crypto community.
A $20 Billion AI Crypto Market
In its announcement, Grayscale stated that the AI crypto sector now boasts a combined market capitalization of $20 billion, up sharply from $4.5 billion in the first quarter of 2023.
The asset manager highlighted that these 20 tokens reflect growing institutional and retail interest in blockchain applications for artificial intelligence, decentralized data markets, and AI-powered infrastructure.
But the announcement also prompted a pressing question from some corners of the crypto world: What gives Grayscale the authority to rank and scale these tokens?
Who is Grayscale, and Why Does It Matter?
Founded in 2013, Grayscale has long positioned itself as a bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset economy.
The company provides regulated investment vehicles for cryptocurrencies, allowing institutional and accredited investors exposure to digital assets without direct ownership.
Key Products and Services Include
Grayscale Investment Trusts: Offering exposure to individual cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum through traditional investment products.
Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund: A fund providing diversified exposure to large-cap digital assets.
Institutional Solutions: Including customized portfolios and separately managed accounts designed for pension funds, endowments, and other institutional clients.
What makes Grayscale influential is not just the size of its holdings reportedly managing billions in crypto assets but its focus on regulatory compliance and institutional-grade infrastructure, elements often lacking in the broader crypto markets.
The Top AI Crypto Tokens of 2025
According to Grayscale’s 26 May 2025 update, the AI sector’s leading tokens are as follows:
1. Bittensor (TAO)
2. Near Protocol (NEAR)
3. Render (RNDR)
4. Artificial Intelligence Alliance (FLETCH AI)
5. Worldcoin (WLD)
6. Virtuals Protocol
7. Story Protocol
8. Theta Network (THETA)
9. Grass
10. Akoz Network
11. Kalto
12. Aethea
13. AkashX (AKT)
14. ElizaOG
15. Arkham Intelligence (ARKM)
16. Golem (GLM)
17. Livepeer (LPT)
18. Aixbit
19. Io.Net
20. Venice AI
The list blends established names like Render, Worldcoin, and Theta with emerging projects focusing on decentralized AI infrastructure, AI marketplaces, and agentic systems.
However, Grayscale tempered its enthusiasm with a disclaimer, reminding investors of the risks involved:
“Private placement securities are speculative, illiquid and entail a high level of risk, including the risk that an investor could lose their entire investment,”the firm warned.
Community Reactions: Agreement, Skepticism, and Strong Opinions
As expected, the announcement triggered a flurry of reactions online with some investors applauding the rankings, while others challenged the omissions and methodology.
A user named Imates commented:
“I hold six projects from the list and only one has bad tokenomics (Io.Net). But it has good revenue like Render, Virtual, and AkashX. Fetch and Arthur are ones I’d like to have, but I’m short on dry powder. AI and DePIN are by far my biggest bets for the next alt bull market.”
Another enthusiast, Words and Wits, questioned the exclusion of OriginTrail, claiming its infrastructure underpins parts of projects included in the list:
“The OriginTrail protocol is used by at least two of the other projects on that list. The founders of the #1 project are on video discussing how their project would benefit immensely from it. So how is it your analysis seems to continually ignore it?”
Elsewhere, Denys Thomson voiced his support for Fetch.ai:
”
I’m super bullish on Fetch AI. ASI-1 is the world’s first decentralized agentic LLM built specifically for Web3. The recent updates and releases are astonishing. For example, tumor and prostate cancer detection can now be done with much higher precision.”
Echoing the sentiment, XpulswD added:
“Bullish AF on the AI sector. $FET has my bet for the largest upside because they’ve consistently delivered. They’re no one-trick pony in this race.”
Meanwhile, Luis Castro championed Theta Network for its tangible, patented technology:
“Theta Network is the only real project with patented technology and actual usability for companies and institutions. Tech companies must provide real solutions to problems — don’t talk to me about token price, talk to me about real tech.”
An Industry of Diverging Opinions
Grayscale’s latest rankings reveal not only the growing economic footprint of AI-powered blockchain projects but also the deeply personal and passionate nature of cryptocurrency investing.
Each investor carries their own convictions, shaped by research, experience, and risk appetite.
As AI and blockchain technology continue to converge, debates over which projects will lead the next phase of digital infrastructure are likely to intensify.
Grayscale’s rankings may serve as a bellwether for institutional sentiment, but in the ever-volatile world of crypto, market winners are ultimately crowned by adoption, utility, and resilience in the face of volatility.
As one investor put it succinctly: “Everyone has their own crypto they believe will do well. Everyone’s invested in something for a reason.”
Reporting by BBC Digital Assets Desk
