The following content is published by the JuCoin Labs Crypto Research Institute:
Bitcoin has returned to $100,000, and the market is starting to warm up. With the new U.S. president Trump about to take office, market hotspots have quickly followed. On January 18, Trump announced the launch of his personal meme coin, TRUMP, which surged by 378% in a single day. Within six hours of its launch, its fully diluted valuation (FDV) reached $20 billion. In addition, his issued NFT, the Trump Digital Trading Cards NFT, has seen its floor price rise to 1,600 POL with a 24-hour increase of over 200%.
The U.S. President Coin/U.S. President NFT have become new darlings of the market, with massive traffic and funds pouring in. However, for most retail investors, both the TRUMP token and the NFT came as afterthoughts. The charm of the cryptocurrency market is that opportunities are never in short supply and genuine investors with strong underlying logic are rewarded. So under the grand narrative of “The U.S. President,” what other promising investment avenues should we pay attention to?
AI Agent emerges as a new contender.
The AI Agent sector has gradually shifted its narrative from AI memes to the integration of AI with application frameworks. The market is now exploring agents with practical application scenarios. DeFAI has become a newly popular focus within the sector. With the idea of combining AI and DeFi, DeFAI attempts to bring more possibilities to the development of DeFi. According to Coingeck data, the current market cap of the DeFAI sector is $2.7 billion, and the overall sector is still in an early stage of continuous growth. Below, we provide a detailed analysis.
What is DeFAI?
DeFAI is the fusion of DeFi and AI, which uses AI to enhance the intelligence and efficiency of DeFi. In the DeFAI model, AI, through model training and automated algorithms, brings a more precise and automated financial experience to users.
The core applications of DeFAI include smart investing, automated trading, trustless lending, and robust risk management. By real-time monitoring and dynamic strategy adjustment, DeFAI can not only improve capital utilization efficiency but also enhance asset security, thereby boosting user returns.
By leveraging AI’s intelligence, DeFAI is expected to solve current DeFi challenges such as high participation barriers, delayed market information, and low yields. It is seen as the new ignition point for the next bull market. Therefore, DeFAI is a key sector that should not be overlooked. Next, we will focus on analyzing the current top projects in the DeFAI space by market cap.
Top 3 DeFAI Projects by Market Cap
According to Coingeck data, we selected the top three projects by market cap in the DeFAI sector for analysis.
- aixbt has a market cap of $560 million,
- Griffain has a market cap of $400 million, and
- PAAL has a market cap of $330 million.
1. aixbt
Project Overview
aixbt is an AI agent based on the Base chain, developed by Virtuals Protocol, serving as an on-chain data analytics agent. It is currently the most popular and influential analytical AI agent, widely capturing market information and providing services similar to those offered by key opinion leaders (KOLs), thereby offering superior DeFi investment advice.
aixbt has become known as a “celebrity analyst” thanks to its powerful analytical capabilities. In roughly three months since its launch, it has attracted over 400,000 followers, with each post consistently receiving more than 50,000 views. In addition, aixbt has quickly integrated into CT culture, boasting a strong community foundation and is often referred to as the Bloomberg of crypto.
In terms of intellectual property positioning, aixbt is a personality-driven “KOL.” Currently, many trending projects are analyzed by aixbt, which then provides appropriate investment advice. Interestingly, after aixbt’s analysis, the token prices of some trending projects have risen significantly. For instance, the hot project $PIPPIN saw its token price surge by 600% following an aixbt post. Thus, aixbt is known in the community as the “signal master.” Following market hotspots, after TRUMP gained popularity, aixbt promptly provided predictive analysis.
Regarding token functionality, users holding over 600,000 AIXBT tokens can unlock advanced analytical tools. This mechanism encourages long-term holding and helps lower liquidity risks. It is worth noting that the well-known market maker Wintermute was previously an AIXBT holder; however, on-chain address analysis (0x0feda837ab01fb12329524645d57d88e1a8ef307) indicates that Wintermute’s associated address no longer holds AIXBT tokens. In terms of token distribution, the top 10 addresses collectively hold 39.38% of the tokens, with the largest single address accounting for 14.45%—indicating a relatively healthy chip distribution.
Fundamentals
- Token: AIXBT
- Contract Address: 0x4f9fd6be4a90f2620860d680c0d4d5fb53d1a825 (Base)
- Liquidity: $380
- 24h Volume: $19.94 million
- FDV: $650 million
- Holders: Over 162,300
Project Highlights
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Practical AI Agent Application:
aixbt can automatically publish content on social media platforms and interact with users, providing financial advice and crypto market insights. Since its launch in November 2024, aixbt has quickly become popular and amassed over 400,000 followers. Its practical application value has been recognized by the market. -
AI-Driven Market Analysis:
With its AI engine, aixbt focuses on hot topics in the crypto field, particularly discussions on social media, helping users quickly capture market changes and potential investment opportunities. This intelligent market analysis assists more investors in capturing value, further stimulating aixbt’s own value. -
Strong Community Influence:
The predictions made by aixbt meet market demand and have gained community support and recognition. Currently, its market cap has exceeded $500 million, making it an indispensable influence in the market.
Project Summary
aixbt is an innovative project that combines AI with DeFi, using AI-driven content generation and market insights to provide investment decision support. Its native token, AIXBT, empowers community participation and access to advanced analytical tools. aixbt is currently the highest market cap project in the DeFAI sector and one of the few AI agent projects with practical applications that have gained market recognition. It has the potential to evolve into a consumer-grade application, making it a project worth our attention.
2. Griffain
Project Overview
Griffain is issued by Solana core developer @tonyplasencia3. Known as the crypto world’s super ChatGPT, Griffain enables customized personal agents. Users can perform arbitrage trading, liquidity mining, token generation, and automated asset management through it. Griffain’s development has been strongly supported by Solana co-founder toly, who regards Griffain as Solana’s first on-chain ChatGPT. Griffain has also received support from Solana officials and Jup founder @SolJakey.
Griffain primarily adopts an invitation-only participation method. The official plan includes four participation methods, though currently, two are mainly available. The first method is for users with early access passes—these passes, released on November 23, 2024, were priced at 1 SOL, with 1,000 passes in total, all of which have been sold out. The second method involves the Griffain pass, which is available only through invitation links. Priced at 2 SOL with no cap on the number, purchasing a pass includes an additional 0.5 SOL credit to the agent wallet. Currently, most users participate via the second method, paying 2 SOL.
Griffain represents the DeFAI sector, focusing on the abstraction layer of DeFAI to provide comprehensive solutions for DeFi users. Firstly, Griffain enables token exchanges through natural language commands, and supports new token launches on platforms like PumpFun. Secondly, Griffain supports customizable services, offering automated social interactions based on user preferences and market value. Additionally, Griffain has functions such as tracking large holders and revealing specific token holdings for users, meeting various investment needs.
Fundamentals
- Token: GRIFFAIN
- Contract Address: KENJSUYLASHUMfHyy5o4Hp2FdNqZg1AsUPhfH2kYvEP (SOL)
- Liquidity: $9.55 million
- 24h Volume: $25.73 million
- FDV: $520 million
- Holders: Over 55,600
Project Highlights
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Cutting-Edge Technology with Strong Endorsement:
Griffain’s founder is not only a core developer of Solana but also a former engineer at Uber and Thumbtack, with extensive development experience. Griffain has strong backing from Solana officials. Additionally, there are reports that Griffain has received investment from Citadel (a well-known VC), with the Griffain contract address starting with “KEN” associated with the Citadel founder. -
Expanding the Boundaries of Web3:
Griffain, as a representative project from the Solana hackathon, is constantly exploring the integration of Web2 and Web3. It has already enabled functions such as assisting in the purchase of physical goods like whiskey. Griffain is expected to broaden the boundaries of Web3 and bring additional growth to the ecosystem. -
Excellent On-Chain Data Performance:
The GRIFFAIN token is priced at $7 with a 47% increase, and the sell addresses show a 17% increase at the same price. On-chain holder distribution is relatively dispersed, with the top 10 holders accounting for 15.8%. Among the top 70 buyers, 63 have fully sold, 6 partially sold, and 1 has increased holdings. The total token pool amounts to $4.7 million, and the pool is locked.
Project Summary
Griffain has opened up the imagination space for DeFAI and could become an entry point for aggregated traffic. In the future, users might only need to download a mobile app and use natural language to complete most DeFAI operations, which is particularly friendly for new users. Griffain’s product can truly meet the needs of DeFi users by automating operations via AI, thereby optimizing user portfolio returns. As a result, Griffain may become an aggregated traffic entry point. Furthermore, Griffain is continuously exploring possibilities of integration with Web2, such as developing advanced on-chain search engines—Griffain’s potential success could bring a broader market to Web3.
3. PAAL
Project Overview
PAAL provides comprehensive artificial intelligence solutions for individuals and enterprises. Its core goal is to reduce the complexity of the crypto market through AI-driven tools and a decentralized ecosystem, offering personalized trading, analysis, and market insight services. Compared with other projects, PAAL was founded in 2023 and has over two years of development, with notable achievements in market data.
Its core products include MyPaalBot, AutoPaal, AutoPaalX, and PaalX. MyPaalBot can be customized according to user preferences to provide personalized opinions and suggestions. AutoPaal focuses on advanced AI tools tailored for comprehensive research and analysis in the crypto field. AutoPaal leverages dynamic access to various knowledge bases, data, and news, enabling users to make informed decisions. AutoPaalX is a high-performance AI trading enhancer that offers ultra-fast trading, precise limit order binding, and load trading functionalities. PaalX is an on-chain decentralized trading platform integrated within MyPaalBot, allowing users to conduct instant trades within a chat interface, exchange tokens, view portfolios, and manage wallets without leaving the chat.
The PAAL token (PPAL) is issued on the Ethereum network and serves unique AI services, revenue sharing, and staking. The total supply is 1 billion tokens, with 800 million in circulation. According to official Twitter, PPAL products provide investment advice with a 24-hour return on investment reaching 15,126%.
Fundamentals
- Token: PAAL
- Contract Address: 0x14fee680690900ba0cccfc76ad70fd1b95d10e16 (ETH)
- Liquidity: $9.18 million
- 24h Volume: $3.06 million
- FDV: $400 million
- Holders: Over 59,000
Project Highlights
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Comprehensive Product Planning:
Compared to other AI agent projects, PAAL has a more complete ecosystem in terms of overall development. Its four core products can meet general consumer needs, and the gradual implementation of product functionalities is expected to further drive the ecosystem’s overall development. In addition, PAAL has a complete roadmap, with plans to develop mobile and desktop applications by Q3 2025 according to the latest product plan. -
Top-Tier Endorsements:
PAAL has received backing from Google Cloud, IBM, and Coingecko, and has established deep collaborations with projects such as ChainLink. This also brings more possibilities for the integration of Web2 and Web3. -
Resilience Through Bull and Bear Cycles:
Compared with other DeFAI projects, PAAL has endured both bull and bear markets, and has an early-mover advantage in terms of product and community accumulation. Through innovation and strategic adjustments, PAAL has found new growth opportunities at every stage. As its products further land, PAAL may have even greater potential in the DeFAI space.
Project Summary
PAAL is an innovative project in the DeFAI direction that, through its core products—MyPaalBot, AutoPaal, AutoPaalX, and PaalX—provides personalized investment advice, market analysis, and decentralized trading functions to simplify user investment decisions. Its native token, PPAL, offers functions such as revenue sharing, staking rewards, and AI services. PAAL has received endorsements from top institutions like Google Cloud, IBM, and Coingecko, and has experienced both bull and bear markets. With its innovation and strategic adjustments, PAAL has steadily grown in the market. Overall, PAAL is a project worth our attention.
Note: The above content is for information sharing purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. DYOR (Do Your Own Research).
Neason Oliver
