The Rise of AI Memecoins & What It Means For Crypto

The collision between crypto and AI agents has officially begun. Matthew Stephensen of Pantera Capital research partner and author of “Crypto: Picks and Shovels for the AI Gold Rush,” joins us today.

We dive into the world of autonomous AI agents on blockchains, discussing the evolving role of agents, AI-driven market changes, and whether blockchain is the natural substrate for AI. Matt sheds light on topics from agent liability and regulatory challenges to infrastructure value capture and the "picks and shovels" approach to investing in AI-driven crypto tech.

Are AI agents on blockchains the obvious future? And how do scarcity and abundance interact in this new era? Join us as we tackle these questions and more, exploring what the future might hold at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and blockchain.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Intro
2:02 Crypto x AI Narrative Shift
3:07 AI & Economic Agents Explained
8:18 GOAT Memecoin Summary
17:34 Were AI Crypto Agents Obvious?
19:43 Luna AI Token & Terminal
21:45 Consequences? Is This Life?
26:09 Exciting Use Cases
29:55 Sam Altman Quote Importance
35:28 Wealth Generation Process & Blockspace
37:34 Programmable Money & Agent MEV
43:16 The AI Agent & Memecoin Thesis
51:15 Government & Society Reaction Predictions
54:15 No Off Buttons?...
58:04 DePin & AI
1:06:11 AI Agent Blockspace Demand
1:08:42 Closing & Disclaimers

RESOURCES

Matthew Stephenson
https://x.com/stephensonhmatt

Crypto's Role In The AI Revolution
https://panteracapital.com/blockchain-letter/cryptos-role-in-the-ai-revolution/#crypto-ai-gold-rush

Not financial or tax advice. See our investment disclosures here:
https://www.bankless.com/disclosures⁠