Decentralized AI Opportunity Is 'Bigger than Bitcoin,' Says DCG's Barry Silbert

Decentralized AI Opportunity Is 'Bigger than Bitcoin,' Says DCG's Barry Silbert

Barry Silbert Sees Decentralized AI as the Future of Crypto, Invests Over $105M

Barry Silbert, CEO of Digital Currency Group (DCG), is making a major bet on decentralized AI (deAI), calling it "the next big era of crypto"—one that could surpass even Bitcoin in significance.

In a letter to shareholders, Silbert emphasized deAI’s potential to revolutionize technology by merging artificial intelligence with blockchain. He believes decentralized AI could be a more open and democratic alternative to the proprietary systems built by major AI players like OpenAI. According to Silbert, the industry is shifting from digital asset ownership to decentralized control of intelligence and computing power.

DCG has already invested over $105 million into more than a dozen deAI projects and plans to increase its involvement in 2025. One standout investment is Bittensor, a blockchain-based AI network. Silbert compared its TAO token to Bitcoin, noting its potential to drive decentralized machine learning and AI innovation. DCG has further strengthened its support for Bittensor by launching Yuma, a company dedicated to building Bittensor infrastructure, and by offering TAO investment products through Grayscale.

The letter marks a period of resurgence for DCG after weathering challenges tied to the FTX collapse, which impacted its lending arm, Genesis. Silbert stated that 2024 was a "successful" year for all of DCG’s divisions, highlighting improved governance, infrastructure, and a renewed focus on growth.

As DCG doubles down on deAI, Silbert sees the convergence of AI and blockchain as a transformative force that could reshape the future of both industries.