Bittensor News

In a rare public appearance—his first interview in four years—Barry Silbert, the founder of Digital Currency Group (DCG) and CEO of the newly launched Yuma, sat down with Raoul Pal on Real Vision to share his journey through the crypto world and unveil his bold vision for the future.

The conversation, highlighted in a recent X post by YumaGroup, positions Bittensor ($TAO) as “The World Wide Web of intelligence” and marks Silbert’s latest venture as a pivotal moment in the evolution of decentralized artificial intelligence (AI). Here’s a deep dive into the discussion, Silbert’s insights, and why Bittensor could redefine the intersection of AI and blockchain.

From Bitcoin to Bittensor: Silbert’s Crypto Odyssey Silbert’s story in crypto began over a decade ago when he stumbled upon Bitcoin in 2012, back when it traded at just $11. As he recounted in the Real Vision interview, this discovery sparked a passion that led to the creation of DCG, a powerhouse behind subsidiaries like Grayscale and Foundry. Through bull and bear markets, Silbert navigated DCG to prominence, but not without scars—particularly from the 2022 crypto crash, which saw fallout from collapses like Three Arrows Capital and FTX. Reflecting on those turbulent times, he shared how DCG weathered personal and professional hardships, emerging with a renewed focus on innovation.

Now, Silbert is doubling down on what he believes could be even more transformative than Bitcoin: Bittensor. Launched in 2021 by founders like Jacob Steeves, Bittensor is a decentralized AI network that incentivizes contributors with its native $TAO token to build and share AI services across specialized “subnets.” Silbert likens its potential to the early days of the internet, calling it a “decentralized intelligence network layer” that could democratize access to AI in ways centralized tech giants like Google or OpenAI cannot. For Silbert, Bittensor represents the next frontier—a shift from “digital ownership of assets to the decentralized ownership of intelligence.” Yuma: Building the Future of Decentralized AI At the heart of Silbert’s new chapter is Yuma, a company he founded to foster innovation within Bittensor’s ecosystem. As described in the Real Vision discussion, Yuma operates like a “Y Combinator for decentralized AI,” incubating and developing businesses that leverage Bittensor’s subnets. These subnets tackle diverse tasks—from text translation and data storage to protein structure prediction—offering a transparent, equitable alternative to the walled gardens of Big Tech. Silbert revealed that Yuma is gearing up to launch products later this year, potentially giving investors direct exposure to Bittensor’s subnets, a development that has already sparked excitement in the $TAO community. The enthusiasm is palpable across X, where replies to YumaGroup’s post call the interview “brilliant” and hail $TAO as a “” opportunity. One user noted Yuma’s plans to roll out subnet-focused solutions, while others praised Bittensor’s ability to spool up distributed compute networks that rival centralized systems. Silbert’s track record adds weight to the hype: DCG’s early investment in Bittensor in 2021, followed by Grayscale’s launch of a Bittensor Trust and a decentralized AI fund (with Bittensor comprising 21% of the latter), underscores his long-term commitment to the project. Why Bittensor Matters So, what makes Bittensor stand out? As Silbert and Pal explored, it’s the network’s unique ability to create a global, open marketplace for AI development. Unlike centralized AI systems controlled by a handful of corporations, Bittensor allows anyone—from individual developers to startups—to contribute models, validate tasks, or mine compute power, all rewarded with $TAO. This structure, Silbert argues, mirrors the open internet of the 1990s, before monopolies took hold. “Just like Bitcoin fueled a new form of transparent, borderless money,” he said, “Bittensor is moving us toward decentralized intelligence.” The conversation also delved into Bittensor’s mechanics, such as its token economics and subnet architecture. With new subnets launching every few days, the network is rapidly expanding, drawing comparisons to the explosive growth of Ethereum’s ERC-20 tokens. However, Silbert emphasized that Bittensor’s success hinges on quality over quantity: while 90% of subnets may underperform, the top 10%—like early standouts Chutes and Gradients—could drive massive value, potentially rivaling billion-dollar companies in traditional markets. A Thriving Ecosystem and a Warning for Grifters The interview wasn’t all rosy optimism. Silbert acknowledged challenges, including the “grift phase” Bittensor has recently exited, where low-quality projects sought quick profits. Thanks to mechanisms like dTAO (dynamic TAO allocation), the network now weeds out underperformers by adjusting emissions and incentivizing integrity. This evolution has made Bittensor a “thriving space,” as one X user put it, with thousands of miners, validators, and subnet owners pushing the boundaries of decentralized AI. Silbert’s confidence in this ecosystem is clear: he sees it as “the Linux of AI,” a foundation for innovation that could outlast fleeting crypto trends. The Road Ahead As the interview wrapped up, Silbert shared his broader vision for decentralized AI and Yuma’s role in it. He hinted at exciting developments, including potential integrations with robotics, SpaceTech, and generative AI applications. For those following $TAO, the message was clear: Bittensor isn’t just another crypto project—it’s a paradigm shift. With Yuma poised to amplify its impact, Silbert’s return to the spotlight feels like a call to action for investors, developers, and dreamers alike. The X post from YumaGroup captures the essence of this moment: a veteran crypto pioneer betting on a technology that could redefine how we interact with intelligence itself. As Silbert told Pal, “This is the start of something much bigger.” Whether Bittensor becomes the “World Wide Web of intelligence” remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Barry Silbert is all in, and the crypto world is watching. To watch the full interview, visit the Real Vision link shared in YumaGroup’s post: https://t.co/P2Z80Pg1Vp.

As we mark 16 years and 135 days since the Bitcoin genesis block on January 3, 2009, the Bitcoin network continues to showcase its resilience and growth. Today, the network’s hashrate stands at an impressive 850 exahashes per second (EH/s), powering the security and decentralization of the world’s leading cryptocurrency. This computational might sustains the production of 144 blocks per day in the current fifth halving cycle, with each block yielding 3.125 BTC. That translates to 450 BTC daily, equating to roughly $46 million in miner rewards per day—or a staggering $17 billion annually at current prices.

Amid this backdrop, a groundbreaking development has emerged from Bittensor’s Subnet 14, known as TaoHash (@TAOHash). In just 11 days, TaoHash has incentivized the decentralization of Bitcoin’s hashrate, amassing nearly 5 EH/s—over 0.5% of the global Bitcoin hashrate. This achievement represents an annualized value of close to $100 million, all starting from zero. By leveraging Bittensor’s innovative incentive mechanisms, Subnet 14 enables miners and validators to trade hashrate for TAO and Alpha tokens, enhancing profitability while promoting a more distributed mining ecosystem.

This rapid growth underscores the transformative potential of Bittensor’s approach. TaoHash’s integration with platforms like Braiins Pool has decentralized proof-of-work (PoW) hashrate, addressing concerns about mining centralization and boosting network security. Posts on X highlight the subnet’s meteoric rise, with 20 miners contributing 2.37 EH/s and generating 2.16 BTC in rewards in just days, signaling a scalable model that could reshape Bitcoin mining and inspire similar decentralization efforts across other PoW blockchains.

The success of Subnet 14 is a testament to the power of incentivized, decentralized systems. As Bitcoin’s hashrate continues to climb, TaoHash’s ability to capture a significant share in such a short time demonstrates how Bittensor’s framework can accelerate the production of digital commodities while fostering a more equitable and secure blockchain ecosystem. This milestone is not just a win for Bittensor but a bold step toward a decentralized future for Bitcoin and beyond

Source: X Post JosephJacks

In a move that could significantly alter the landscape of decentralized artificial intelligence (AI), Sam Forman announced on X that Solana ($SOL) users will soon be able to purchase Bittensor subnet alpha tokens using TaoFi, a DeFi infrastructure layer for decentralized AI built on Bittensor. This development marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of two major blockchain ecosystems, potentially ushering in a new era of liquidity and accessibility for Bittensor's subnet tokens.

Bittensor, known for its innovative approach to incentivizing AI development through a tokenized economy, has seen its TAO token surge by approximately 60% in the past month. This growth is partly attributed to the platform's ability to foster a competitive marketplace for AI inference, where miners are rewarded for contributing to machine learning models. The introduction of Solana's capital, particularly from its speculative meme coin community, could amplify this momentum.

Solana's ecosystem, characterized by its high throughput and low transaction costs, has become a hub for meme coins, with a market cap reaching $13.6 billion and a 22.7% increase in the last 24 hours. The integration with Bittensor through TaoFi could channel this speculative capital into a more technically oriented domain, potentially leading to increased volatility and new competitive dynamics within Bittensor's subnets. Comments from the community, such as those referring to "Solana degenerates," hint at an expectation of heightened speculative trading, which could reshape how value is perceived and distributed in the decentralized AI space.

This convergence raises intriguing questions about the future of subnet development. Will we see more subnets designed to attract this new capital, or will the existing technical focus remain dominant? The balance between accessibility and technical sophistication will be crucial as Bittensor navigates this influx of speculative interest. While easier access to subnet participation could democratize the ecosystem, it might also challenge the governance and development processes that have defined Bittensor's growth thus far.

As the decentralized AI sector continues to evolve, the integration of Solana's capital with Bittensor's subnet architecture through wrapped alpha tokens could serve as a case study in how speculative and technical ecosystems can coexist and influence each other. This development not only highlights the potential for cross-chain collaborations but also underscores the transformative power of decentralized finance in bridging diverse blockchain communities.

The decentralized AI revolution just hit a major milestone. On May 16, 2025, Yuma Group announced that Bittensor’s native token, TAO, is now available for staking on Uphold, a leading crypto platform. This move makes it easier than ever for users to participate in the Bittensor ecosystem, a decentralized machine learning network that’s challenging the dominance of centralized AI systems. With Yuma stepping in as an institutional-grade validator, this partnership signals a new era for accessible, incentivized AI development.

What’s the Big Deal? Bittensor, often described as a “global brain” for AI systems, operates on a peer-to-peer network where intelligence is priced and rewarded through its token, TAO. Unlike centralized AI giants, Bittensor allows researchers, developers, and even legacy systems to monetize their contributions in a permissionless, decentralized marketplace. According to Bittensor’s whitepaper, this system rewards innovation across a broader set of objectives, giving smaller players a chance to compete (uphold.com, 2025).

Uphold’s announcement on May 15 revealed that users can now stake TAO on its platform, earning up to 11.5% in returns. This staking opportunity lowers the barrier to entry for those looking to support Bittensor’s mission while earning passive income. As Uphold tweeted, “$TAO is NOW AVAILABLE for staking… Earn up to 11.5% when you stake your #TAO on Uphold,” highlighting the network’s appeal as an alternative to centralized AI solutions (@UpholdInc, May 15, 2025).

Yuma’s Role in the Ecosystem Yuma Group, a key player in Bittensor’s ecosystem, is leading the charge as an institutional-grade validator. Validators in Bittensor, under the Yuma Consensus, evaluate the contributions of network participants—rewarding those who add valuable intelligence with TAO tokens (CoinGecko, April 22, 2025). Yuma’s involvement ensures that institutional players can trust the network’s integrity while supporting innovative AI projects.

“Yuma is proud to partner with Uphold and serve as an institutional-grade validator,” the group stated in its announcement (@YumaGroup, May 16, 2025). As an accelerator for Bittensor projects, Yuma invests in and incubates computational infrastructure, helping startups and enterprises deploy their ideas on the network. Their role as a validator also ensures fairness and transparency, a cornerstone of Bittensor’s decentralized ethos (yumaai.com, February 2025).

Why This Matters for Decentralized AI The integration of TAO staking on Uphold is a game-changer for Bittensor’s adoption. By making staking accessible through a trusted platform, more users can participate in securing the network and earning rewards, driving further growth. Community reactions on X reflect the excitement—TAO Cat praised the move for enhancing participation in decentralized AI, while others, like olaxbt, see it as a signal of bigger things to come (@taocat_agent, @olaxbt, May 16, 2025).

Bittensor’s vision of a decentralized AI marketplace has been gaining traction, especially as concerns grow over centralized AI’s monopolistic tendencies. Co-founder Ala Shaabana has long argued that centralized AI research stifles innovation, a problem Bittensor aims to solve through its incentivized, open network (uphold.com, 2025). With TAO’s value tied directly to the AI services it enables, analysts are bullish—Benzinga recently projected TAO could hit $1,043.42 by 2030, a potential 380.99% ROI (Benzinga, 2025).

What’s Next for Bittensor? This partnership between Uphold and Yuma marks a pivotal moment for Bittensor, but it’s just the beginning. As more platforms embrace TAO staking and the network’s ecosystem of subnets grows, Bittensor could redefine how AI development happens globally. However, challenges remain—some worry about creeping centralization if a few validators dominate the network, a risk Bittensor must navigate to stay true to its decentralized roots (Benzinga, 2025). For now, the message is clear: decentralized AI is here to stay, and with TAO staking live on Uphold, it’s easier than ever to join the movement. Whether you’re an AI researcher, a crypto enthusiast, or an investor eyeing the future, Bittensor’s latest step forward is worth watching.

Stay tuned for more updates on Bittensor and the future of decentralized AI.

Three months into operating dTAO, Targon is launching a regular update series to keep the community informed on progress and strategic direction. The focus remains clear: building a long-term, sustainable compute layer for the Bittensor network.

At its core, Bittensor is emerging as a marketplace for digital commodities — with compute as the most critical asset powering the AI revolution. Today’s compute market is riddled with inefficiencies, often driven by expensive financing structures. Targon sees an opportunity to address this by creating a more capital-efficient, accessible, and performant compute ecosystem.

Bittensor currently emits over $1 billion worth of TAO annually. Managing these emissions responsibly is essential. Rather than using them to subsidize free inference, Targon is focused on building enterprise-ready AI infrastructure. A key example is its partnership with Dippy, an AI companion app processing more than 10 billion tokens daily, for which Targon is developing a high-performance custom inference engine.

A growing issue in the ecosystem is the reliance on rented compute. Many miners today do not own their hardware, leading to short-term arbitrage and volatility. Targon is actively transitioning toward working with institutional compute providers, bringing hardware owners directly into the network — a shift similar to what happened in Bitcoin post-2013.

To maintain market sustainability, Targon is currently burning 70% of emissions, ensuring payouts (currently ~$2.80/hr for an H200) align with market realities. The strategy is to match organic revenue with miner payouts, gradually reducing dependence on token inflation.

Targon’s long-term goal is ambitious: to assemble a compute layer strong enough to compete with the largest AI labs. With the right foundation — efficient capital, real revenue, and reliable infrastructure — this vision is well underway.

FlameWire_SN, also known as Subnet 97, is a purpose-built subnet on the Bittensor network, offering decentralized RPC, node, and API services across multiple blockchains. Taking inspiration from centralized giants like Alchemy and Ankr, FlameWire reimagines blockchain infrastructure through a fully decentralized lens—delivering performance, resilience, and open access without compromising on security or speed.

🔧 Infrastructure Overview FlameWire provides a robust foundation for developers, validators, and network operators: 🌐 Decentralized RPC & API services

🔗 Multi-chain support: Ethereum, Bittensor, SUI (with more on the way)

🛡️ Scalable and secure architecture built to handle growing demand

🛠️ Developer-first design for seamless integration and interaction

💸 A Sustainable Economic Model FlameWire introduces a dual-access monetization strategy that balances accessibility and sustainability: 🎟️ Stake-to-access: Users can access core services by staking Alpha tokens

💳 Pay-as-you-go: Usage-based pricing ensures revenue from day one

🔁 Circular tokenomics: All payments are recycled into the subnet to support growth and liquidity

🎯 Performance-based rewards: Providers offering superior service are rewarded accordingly

⚔️ Why FlameWire Stands Out FlameWire isn’t just another infrastructure play. It delivers tangible advantages: 🔥 True decentralization: No single point of failure or control

🌍 Global node access: Regional presence ensures low-latency performance

💰 Cost efficiency: Competition among providers drives prices down

🧱 Resilient architecture: Redundant systems offer robust uptime and failover

🌉 Unified multi-chain gateway: Interact with multiple blockchains via a single platform

🚀 Stake-driven free access: Lowers barriers for developers and emerging projects

🛠️ Roadmap Highlights FlameWire’s development is focused and ambitious: 🚀 Expansion to more blockchain ecosystems

🧩 Chain-specific APIs for enhanced functionality

📊 Advanced monitoring & analytics tools

🤝 Strategic partnerships for stake-based access models

🧠 AI-powered request routing for optimized performance

✅ Activation & Early Impressions Subnet 97 is officially live. You can now trade and stake the Alpha token, though early-stage liquidity remains limited—expect some slippage. The FlameWire team has impressed early adopters with their professionalism and attention to detail. This is no trial run—it’s a fully developed product designed to deliver real utility and immediate value. Its tokenomic loop continuously reinvests into the ecosystem, ensuring sustainable rewards and future scalability.