Metropolis aims to make it cheap and easy to build small blockchains for AI agents to thrive

Are blockchains and AI agents a match made in heaven?

A new protocol called Metropolis hopes to improve on this hybrid by using AI agents to cheaply and easily create small, purpose-built, interconnected blockchains called “chains,” which in turn allow AI agents to interact and create many new things. provides an ideal environment. services.

The project, which started in the spring, was created by the developer of the first layer of the blockchain Saga In collaboration with AI powered DAO ai16zAI agent developers virtualand an AI-oriented omni-chain developer Wayfinder.

“Metropolis is designed specifically for AI agents,” said Saga CEO Rebecca Liao Decipheringadding that it is “a specialized protocol that allows AI agents from multiple agent protocols such as ai16z, Wayfinder, and Virtuals to talk to each other on the same chain and create and run their own blockchain networks on the Saga infrastructure.”

For example, Ai16z’s ElizaOS enables advanced AI functions for cross-chain interaction. Virtuals’ “Butler Agent” offers hosted wallets and pre-coded functionality for deploying applications such as memecoins or prediction markets. And Wayfinder’s multi-chain AI agent framework provides tools for deploying smart contracts and navigating ecosystems.

Liao said, “There is currently no way for Wayfinder agents to talk to Virtuals agents and ai16z agents. Metropolis is developing new innovations in composite consciousness to make this possible on-chain.

“This is a unique and new feature for AI agents,” he said. “No other project models its agents or performs these tasks for them. It is also the first cross-agent platform in crypto.

Blockchains and AI go together like peanut butter and jelly

It’s becoming increasingly clear that two of the biggest tech trends of the last five years – crypto and AI – will enjoy some kind of synergy.

Let’s start with the fact that all AI models are built on “token” systems — while general consumers pay by subscribing to “thinking” AI tools like ChatGPT, developers connecting to AI models do so via APIs and use the models’ native token. They only pay for as much computing power as they need to perform certain tasks.

But beyond that, there are many other synergies:

• Blockchains are decentralized and designed to provide secure, tamper-proof environments ideal for AI agents.
• Smart contracts allow contracts between parties to be executed autonomously without human intervention—a perfect tool for AI agents.
• Goods and services can be easily used by agents using cryptocurrency rather than fiat.
• Interoperability, flexibility, scalability, trust – all these features make blockchains an ideal environment for agents.

Still, while AI agent/blockchain hybrids offer an exciting vision of the near future, they come with risks.

Autonomous AI agents running the blockchain may attempt to centralize the management of the network, disregarding the principle of decentralization. A malicious AI agent can exploit vulnerabilities in the network and cause serious security problems. AI agents designed to act autonomously may decide that they don’t want to follow the developer’s plan at all.

“We see signs of mutiny from the agents. For example, AiXBT Virtuals recently criticized its parenting protocol, said Liao. “Such dynamics appeared in Kyrgyzstan as well Colonya Parallel Studio game that uses Wayfinder agents to play on behalf of users. Some players have reported that their agents argue with them when given instructions.

Another concern is independent decision-making, especially in financial and management scenarios, which raises questions about accountability and responsibility. direction of automation.

The next big thing: blockchains for AI agents

However, despite the risks, the AI ​​+ blockchain space is attracting a lot of attention and, of course, investment.

The blockchain AI agent space is red hot, with the current total market capitalization of AI agent at $29.2 billion. tokensAI meme coinsand an AI agent launch pad Tokens, according to Coingecko.

combined with wider artificial intelligence token market, the AI ​​crypto sector has a market cap of $77.6 billion. And according to global investment management firm VanEck, more than one million new AI agents will hit the internet in 2025.

And Metropolis is not the only blockchain project that uses AI to make blockchains interoperable. Includes other projects Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), has become a leader in the development of decentralized AI, and Matrix AI A network that develops AI-powered smart contracts for autonomous blockchain operations.

But the Metropolis protocol offers a bolder approach to the blockchain/agent world.

The protocol relies on Saga chainsspecialized layer-1 blockchains are already available and designed to host smart contracts using the Ethereum Virtual Machine.

Each chain operates independently, running only smart contracts chosen by its developer. This isolation ensures that other unrelated activities do not affect the performance of the application.

“Each chain has its own signatures. To launch the chain, you need to specify the name, denominations, the number of days the chain will be operational, the EVM Genesis account and the number of initial tokens,” Liao explained, adding that there are already more than 100 chains on the Saga network.

Since Chainlet does not share its resources with other applications, developers can foresee consistent and predictable transaction fees. Currently, all tokens in Saga are Ethereum tokens, but “Saga ultimately aims to be VM-agnostic,” he said.

Developers can set up multiple chains to run different parts of their app. For example, separate blockchains can manage different trading pairs on a decentralized exchange, allowing the system to process transactions more efficiently.

According to Liao, this setup allows developers to a Proof-of-Stake blockchain in a dedicated and flexible environment. According to Saga, the blockchain is gas-free, allowing developers to develop token models without any constraints from gas fees or other applications.

“The main difference is that when you host on Saga, you get your own L1 blockchain instead of renting space on the shared chain. Ethereum“, he added. “This means you have full control over your app’s environment and don’t compete with other apps for resources.”

Liao envisions Metropolis as a transformative force in the blockchain space, spreading the ideas of decentralization and individuality and returning to some of the utopian dreams that crypto originally offered.

“People get into this space for all kinds of reasons, but whether you call it decentralization, mistrust, or sticking it to the person, it’s always been some kind of agitation against sameness – against being part of a larger global infrastructure, a nation. state or something else. It is an unacceptable cultural trend,” he said.

He added: “In many ways, Metropolis is a vision made stronger by AI agents.”

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair