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Original Article Title: Agent Fragmentation: Breaking Through the Noise
Original Article Authors: Defi0xJeff, Crypto Kol
Original Article Translation: zhouzhou, BlockBeats

Editor's Note: This article points out the current AI agent fragmentation issue, where the diversity, liquidity, and attention of AI agents are spread across various domains. The article discusses two development paths for agents: one is transforming into an open-source framework, and the other is continuing to focus on a single agent function. It analyzes multiple promising AI domains such as DeFAI, NSFWagent, robots, investment DAOs, etc., and suggests that developers and investors should focus on narratives and products with long-term growth potential, ultimately driving innovators to establish a unified ecosystem by simplifying complexity.

The following is the original content (reorganized for readability):

Liquidity fragmentation became a significant challenge last year when the expansion of L1/L2 blockchains went beyond what we could count. Then, Bitcoin L2 entered this landscape, further adding thousands of new projects.

This situation has led to liquidity, attention, and user experience being dispersed across numerous ecosystems, with many L2 and dApps in these ecosystems struggling to gain any meaningful traction. Capital inflows are only hitting a few top ecosystems—those with prominent communities, outstanding products, strong teams, and enough grant funding to attract developers to the ecosystem.

Now, the AI agent industry is beginning to face a similar dilemma. Although still in its early stages, the diversity of agent numbers, aliases, and new tokens makes it challenging to differentiate each project. The industry is increasingly facing the problem of "agent fragmentation." Liquidity and attention are overly dispersed, spread across too many places.

Two Development Paths for AI Agents

Most AI agents develop along one of the following two paths:

1. Transitioning from Agent to Framework

Some agents demonstrate their value by continuously interacting with users and allowing them to interact with real-time products on CT (or other channels) platforms, once they find product-market fit (PMF) and attract enough attention, other teams often want to replicate their success. What is the next logical step? Open-source the agent. Through this process, the agent evolves into a framework—making it easier for others to experiment, integrate, and build. This step can break the agent's valuation ceiling, positioning it more like an L1 blockchain.

We have seen the following agents adopt this trend:

0xzerebro

dolos diary

AVA holo

freysa ai

unit00x0

This approach enables these agents to scale by reducing barriers and allowing others to access their ecosystem.

2. Continue to refine the product as an independent agent

Not every agent can immediately find PMF; some agents need to iterate and adjust continuously until they find the right use case. Even so, some teams still prefer to maintain technological exclusivity rather than open up to others. For those agents performing exceptionally well in their field, transitioning to a framework is unnecessary—they just need to remain in their form as independent agents.

Examples of this approach include:

aixbt agent

griffaindotcom

So, what should we do?

For developers: Focus on understanding the gaps in the market and build products that truly add value to users. Remember, agents should act as guiding tools, ushering users into the ecosystem. In such a market environment, standing out is becoming increasingly challenging.

For investors: Focus on leaders or top projects in each category, and consider increasing investments during market downturns, which may be the best way to consolidate attention and navigate the fragmented space.

Current Category Narratives/Focus

Here are the currently trending areas:

Alpha-Focused KOLagent

These agents dominate in providing Alpha (insights, data synthesis, and analysis). AIXBT holds a leading position in users' minds. While this is not a zero-sum market, leaders can capture disproportionate attention.

Noteworthy token:

AIXBT

REI

TRISIG

TRUST

AGENCY

KWANT

Investment DAO

These DAOs focus on strategic investments, with winners typically being those able to effectively execute (3,3) strategies and provide strong Profit and Loss (PnL) performance.

Examples:

VADER

AIXCB

AIMONICA

SEKOIA

WAI

AROK

Other platforms in this space include: VIRTUALS IO, AI16ZDAO, DAOSDOTWORLD, DAOSDOTFUN

Agent Metaverse / Game x AI

This is a young and promising industry, with Realis kicking off the trend, but Hyperfy has now become a leader in building world infrastructure. Smol and Arc Agent are exploring AI-driven gaming and gamification utilizing reinforcement learning.

Key Tokens:

HYPER

REALIS

SMOL

NRN

DeFAI / Abstraction Layer

This is a fiercely competitive field, with multiple players vying for dominance. The anticipated release of the Wayfinder token may prove to be a game-changing move.

Tokens to Watch:

GRIFFAIN

ANON

GRIFT

NEUR

Autonomous Trading Agent

This field is still in its early stages but holds immense potential. Multiple players are emerging, with their agents aiming to generate outsized returns through competition with humans and other agents.

Key Tokens:

ASYM

PPCOIN

GEKKO

TONY

Framework

Popular framework tokens provide open-source solutions to support agents. AI16Z/Eliza is the largest open-source framework, but other models exist as well.

Key Tokens:

AI16Z / ELIZA

GAME (Virtuals)

ARC (Rig)

Music

AI agents are entering the music space by releasing albums or enabling music creation. Zerebro was the first to drop a standout album, and now more agents are entering this submarket, collaborating with world-class DJs.

Key Tokens:

ZEREBRO

MUSIC

BEATS

3D Models

Ava leads the way in the 3D modeling field. HOLOWORLDAI is collaborating with multiple teams to develop and deploy 3D models across different frameworks and ecosystems.

Key Tokens:

AVA

AIDOL

This trend began with Luna as an AI idol on TikTok and Twitter. While the initial hype has passed, this submarket has laid the foundation for agents offering more practical functionalities. Luna remains the most influential AIDOL, now with more personality and capabilities, such as her experience taking over Story Protocol as an intern.

Key Examples:

LUNA

ELIZA

MOE

AI Memecoins

These memecoins are either launched by an AI agent or have a story background related to AI.

Popular Tokens:

GOAT

FARTCOIN

ACT

Video / Film Production

This is an emerging area, with Kween at the forefront of producing high-quality films, although it is currently unclear whether these films are agent-driven. Sandy is launching the first AI video agent framework, and its full potential is yet to be realized.

Tokens to Watch:

KWEEN

SANDY

Data

In the AI field, data is digital gold—it is key to agent development and performance. Cookie stands out as a leader in providing data to both humans and AI agents.

Notable Tokens:

COOKIE

NOMAI

AI App Store

This category focuses on a useful AI app ecosystem, including generative AI tools, games, and productivity-enhancing tools. Currently, Alchemist is the top ecosystem, while Myshell focuses on image generation and waifu simulation games, although its token has not yet been released.

Key Tokens:

ALCH

NSFWagent

This is an emerging niche market where agents act as "spicy" influencers, interacting with users around the clock. Lush, Nectar, and Oh are the main players in this field, but currently only Lush has a token.

Featured Tokens:

LUSH

TEE / DeAI Infrastructure

This narrative supports fully autonomous agents that are able to resist human interference, such as hack attacks or rug pulls.

Top Tokens:

FAI

PHALA

SPORE

Developer Tools

These are AI security, code analysis, and industry-critical tools for growth. Soleng is my personal favorite as she can serve as your developer relations assistant, helping analyze code and GitHub repositories, especially very friendly to our CT brothers without a technical background.

Highlighted Tokens:

SOLENG

H4CK

CERTAI

JAIL

Robots / Embodied AI

This is an exciting yet evolving field. OpenAI's work on embodied AI may attract more attention this year.

Top Tokens:

SAM

There are many other categories I haven't covered, and the fragmentation of agents is starting to get a little out of hand. My personal investment strategy is to focus on narratives that attract the most attention and predict narratives that are likely to attract more attention in the future.

Narratives I'm watching, which will continue to attract attention:

DeFAI

Decentralized Finance AIAgent

Investment DAO

Metaverse Agent

Key Narratives Expected to Gain More Traction in Q1/Q2:

NSFW Agent

TEE and other DeAI Infrastructure (opML, zkML, POSP, etc.)

Robotics Technology

Developer Tools

Final Thoughts

The fragmentation of agents highlights the complexity and opportunities in this rapidly evolving space. Rather than chasing every new trend, developers and investors should focus on areas with integration potential and long-term growth opportunities.

For developers, the priority should be to create scalable, differentiated products that address specific user needs. For investors, supporting projects with strong community engagement and a favorable position in high-potential narratives will be key to navigating this fragmented market.

The next wave of innovation will come from those who can streamline the chaos and create ecosystems that unify liquidity, attention, and value.

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