Blockchain Role in the AI Buildout is Expanding Quickly
By Zach PandlGrayscale Head of Research
The worlds of blockchain and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly intertwined, with several well-known projects—including Bittensor, NEAR, and World—playing more prominent roles in the development of AI services, blockchain-based agentic commerce, and proof of personhood.
But there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. We have identified three specific projects currently using blockchain technology to reach even further into the AI buildout, including data collection and training, compute financing, and compute monetization.
DATA Network (DATA): AI models need data to learn, and model capabilities depend on the quality and variety of their training data. DATA is building tools to collect, license, and track human-contributed data—from photos and videos to voice recordings. Apps built on the DATA network can license datasets to AI labs for model training while rewarding individual participants for their contributions.¹
USD.AI (CHIP): GPUs power AI workloads, but their high cost means compute providers often need outside capital. CHIP arranges loans backed by GPU equipment and related cash flows. Its onchain pools allow onchain capital to fund GPU-backed loans and give participants the potential to earn yield, helping finance the AI infrastructure buildout.
Pearl (PEARL): AI demand is driving investment in more GPU capacity. PEARL aims to allow that capacity to do double duty: power AI workloads while also securing a proof of work blockchain at the same time. This would enable compute providers to earn PRL rewards on top of their AI compute revenue stream. PEARL is up 580% in the past three months.²
Key Takeaway: Blockchain’s role in the AI buildout is expanding quickly to include projects targeting real infrastructure needs, from crowdsourcing training data to compute financing and monetization. Their long-term relevance will depend on adoption and competitive economics. We are keeping an eye on them.
Exhibit 1: Blockchain-based projects are helping with the AI buildout in a variety of ways
¹ On October 12, DATA announced plans to move its protocol to Sui, with Walrus as its default storage layer.
² Certain sectors and markets perform exceptionally well based on current market conditions. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility, and investors should not expect that such results will be repeated. Source: Coingecko, data as of 10/22/2026.
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