Virtuals Protocol launches Virtuals Partners Network to accelerate AI agent development

Virtuals Protocol has unveiled the Virtuals Partners Network to support AI crypto founders with funding and development guidance.

In 20 March post on X, Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) announced that it has launched Virtuals Partners Network to help AI crypto founders build and scale by connecting them with top investors, domain experts, and researchers.

As blockchains are moving from human-controlled dApps to autonomous AI agents, there’s a growing need for support for AI agent builders. To meet this demand, VPN brings together top investors, domain experts, researchers, and AI builders. Within VPN, builders will be able to share insights, spreading knowledge that can help fellow builders create better AI agents. Domain experts will help accelerate development time by providing specialized knowledge, while academics will ensure ideas align with market trends by providing the latest research.

As for investors, they will get access to the network-vetted projects. Among the investors already onboarded are Tommy Shaughnessy from Delphi Ventures, angel investor Jasmine, and Anand Iyer from Canonical.

The launch of VPN to support AI builders reflects a growing trend in the crypto space, where companies are rolling out initiatives to attract developers to AI agents on their platforms. In October 2024, Crypto.com launched a grant program to support developers in building AI agents. Coinbase also launched the CDP AI Builder Grants Program, offering five grants of $3,000 each to projects building AI bots utilizing Coinbase’s MPC Wallets.

Perhaps such initiatives are exactly what’s needed to revive the AI agent narrative which has been one of the hardest-hit sectors in the current crypto market downturn—with the AI tokens’ market cap crashing from its $10 billion highs to around $4.4 billion at the time of writing.

Earlier, crypto researcher Crypto Stream said that for liquidity to return to AI coins, three conditions must be met: large caps need to cool off, the interest in AI agents must continue, and no new flashy narrative should emerge. Programs like Virtuals Protocol’s VPN seem to be addressing the second factor by creating an environment that fosters continued interest in AI agents.