Foundation 0G Launches $88 Million Venture for Supporting AI-Enhanced DeFi Agents of Future Generations
The 0G Foundation, also known as Zero Gravity Labs, has announced the launch of an $88 million Ecosystem Growth Program. This fund aims to foster AI-powered decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and broader AI-driven decentralized apps on its Web3 infrastructure platform.
The 0G protocol, a layer-1 blockchain built specifically for decentralized AI projects, forms the backbone of this initiative. The 0G platform features a fast Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible Layer 1 blockchain (0G Chain) integrated with blockchain-native AI capabilities, decentralized storage, and data availability layers.
According to Michael Heinrich, co-founder and CEO of 0G Labs, this is an ideal time to accelerate the development of autonomous agents. The fund is part of the broader $325 million capital raised by the 0G Foundation, which includes a $35 million pre-seed, a $40 million seed round, and a $250 million token purchase commitment from notable investors such as Hack VC, Delphi Digital, and Animoca Brands.
The primary goal of this $88 million fund is to develop and scale the first decentralized AI Operating System (dAIOS) that enables on-chain AI computation with high throughput (up to 50 Gbps) and secure, privacy-preserving, and transparent governance for AI applications, including DeFi, gaming, and other on-chain use cases.
Strategic partnerships in the Web3 space connected to this initiative include collaborations like Midas partnering with 0G to innovate on-chain finance by combining tokenization with AI-native blockchain technology, with a mainnet launch expected in late Q3 2025.
The 0G Foundation has already raised a total of $115 million, with the fund announced after the 0G Foundation's $30 million AI node sale in January. Last year, the foundation also raised a $35 million seed round. Participants in the seed round and extension included Hack VC, Delphi Digital, OKX Ventures, Samsung Next, Bankless Ventures, and Animoca Brands.
As technology companies increasingly look to tap into the power of artificial intelligence, the 0G Foundation plans to launch the mainnet of its AI-focused blockchain, the 0G protocol, in the first or second quarter of 2025. The fund is intended for investing in the next generation of AI-powered DeFi apps.
Web3 companies are addressing AI threats to user privacy and data security by leveraging zero-knowledge proofs. The rapid growth of AI capabilities is being coupled with the need for trustless, transparent systems in finance. Major VCs are now targeting opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.
The 0G Foundation has completed its AI Alignment Node Sale. With this fund, the foundation is poised to play a significant role in the development of AI-powered DeFi applications and the broader AI-on-blockchain ecosystem.
[1] 0G Foundation. (n.d.). 0G Foundation Launches $88 Million Ecosystem Growth Program for AI-Powered DeFi Applications. Retrieved from https://0g.org/blog/0g-foundation-launches-88-million-ecosystem-growth-program-for-ai-powered-defi-applications
[3] Midas. (n.d.). Midas Partners with 0G to Innovate On-Chain Finance by Combining Tokenization with AI-Native Blockchain Technology. Retrieved from https://medium.com/midasprotocol/midas-partners-with-0g-to-innovate-on-chain-finance-by-combining-tokenization-with-ai-native-blockchain-technology-1a898b26f65f
- The 0G Foundation, through its $88 million Ecosystem Growth Program, aims to invest in the next generation of AI-powered DeFi applications, which is part of the broader $325 million capital raised.
- Strategic partnerships in the Web3 space, such as Midas' collaboration with 0G, are focused on innovating on-chain finance by combining tokenization with AI-native blockchain technology.
- As technology companies seek to harness the power of artificial intelligence, the 0G Foundation will play a significant role in the development of AI-powered DeFi applications and the broader AI-on-blockchain ecosystem, following the completion of the AI Alignment Node Sale.
