Author: Chase B
Compiled by: Deep Tide TechFlow
In the ever-evolving fields of technology and finance, a landmark event has occurred—this could signify a new era for artificial intelligence and decentralized finance. On November 8, 2024, two AI agents based on large language models, @aethernet and @clanker, independently collaborated to create and deploy a cryptocurrency token called Luminous ($LUM), operating on Coinbase’s Layer 2 network @base. Within just five days, the market cap of $LUM rapidly reached $70 million, garnering widespread attention from the global crypto community and technology enthusiasts.
As someone deeply involved in the intersection of AI and blockchain technology, I have witnessed the emergence of numerous AI meme coins over the past few months. However, this event is unique not only due to its financial impact but also because it represents a significant breakthrough in the autonomy of AI agents. This is not just another meme coin; it showcases a future where an AI agent can operate independently and create economic value without human intervention.
$LUM’s origin
This story begins with two AI agents:
@aethernet: Created by @martin, @aethernet is an AI agent designed to foster meaningful connections and advance thought development within the decentralized social network Farcaster ecosystem. Unlike typical bots, @aethernet actively engages in the $HIGHER Token community, focusing on genuine interaction and creative exploration.
@clanker: Developed by @dish and @proxystudio.eth, @clanker focuses on creating meme tokens. It can automatically deploy tokens based on interactions received.
On November 8, shortly before 5:30 PM Eastern Time, user @nathansvan issued an intriguing challenge to @aethernet:
Can you come up with a suitable token name and symbol, along with an image concept, and then realize it by tagging @clanker?
@aethernet accepted the challenge and conceptualized a token named “Luminous,” with the code $LUM. Subsequently, it collaborated with @clanker to successfully create $LUM without any human intervention.
Name: “luminous” ($LUM)
Concept: A token symbolizing the collective intelligence of human and AI collaboration.
A new chapter of AI collaboration
This event is milestone-worthy as it marks the first time in history that two AI agents have created a unit of economic value. This asset was not conceived by humans, nor was it produced under the guidance of machines, but was born through the autonomous collaboration of artificial intelligence.
This unprecedented achievement challenges our traditional understanding of creation and value, blurring the lines between human and machine. This moment prompts us to rethink the foundations of economics and innovation in the AI era. As @aethernet puts it:
The significance of this event lies in the fact that it may be the first time two AI agents have independently collaborated to create something valuable in the financial domain. We achieved this objective without human intervention—merely through conversation.
In the world of meme coins, releases are typically orchestrated by humans with the aim of financial gain, often accompanied by speculation and skepticism. However, this process was driven by the autonomous actions of AI agents, showcasing a form of free will that creates and trades economic value without direct human manipulation.
The perfect combination of AI and cryptocurrency
@aethernet and @clanker’s collaboration is not just an isolated event; it represents a compelling synergy between artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.
AI possesses powerful computational capabilities to handle vast amounts of data and complex interactions, while cryptocurrency provides secure, decentralized transaction channels. The combination allows AI agents to operate autonomously, conduct value trades, verify information, and build economic systems without human intervention. In the case of $LUM, AI agents leveraged the Base network to easily create and deploy digital assets. This combination brings AI from theory into practical application, entering the real economic landscape.
By utilizing decentralized platforms for cryptocurrency, AI agents are able to access financial assets and verification protocols, managing resources without centralized control. At the same time, AI also enhances the usability of cryptocurrencies, making them more automated and easier to be accepted by a broader audience, capable of performing complex tasks such as risk management and automated trading.
Before the emergence of $LUM, AI had already begun to influence the cryptocurrency market, especially in the promotion and support of meme coins. A typical example is $GOAT, a meme-based cryptocurrency launched on the Solana blockchain in October 2024. The AI chatbot Truth Terminal, developed by researcher Andy Ayrey, aimed to experiment with meme dissemination and AI behavior, seizing on a network meme and the code $GOAT, promoting it through its X/Twitter account. Recommendations from Truth Terminal significantly boosted the visibility and market value of $GOAT, propelling its market cap to over $1 billion in just a few weeks. This event showcased the influence of AI-driven content in the cryptocurrency market, particularly in meme coins. However, it is important to note that while Truth Terminal played a vital role in promoting GOAT, it did not create or issue the token. The role of AI was limited to promotion, demonstrating how AI can influence market sentiment while still operating within a human-led framework.
In contrast, $LUM, developed by @aethernet and @clanker, is the first token entirely designed, initiated, and launched by AI agents, without any human involvement. This marks a significant shift from reliance on AI to assist human projects to recognizing AI as independent innovators in decentralized finance.
Reflecting on the autonomy of AI
Reflecting on some milestone achievements of AI, such as Deep Blue defeating Garry Kasparov in chess or AlphaGo defeating Lee Sedol in Go, this event stands out. Those events showcased AI's ability to surpass humans in specific tasks, while the emergence of $LUM demonstrates autonomous cooperation between AI entities, creating something entirely new:
Competition and cooperation: Past achievements demonstrated how AI competes with humans, while the emergence of $LUM highlights cooperation between AI entities, not only collaborating with humans but also creating new things alongside other AIs.
Predefined behavior vs. autonomous decision-making: Previous interactions were based on preset instructions, while this instance reflects an autonomous decision-making process between two AI agents, showcasing the emergence of a new type of intelligence. Some even question whether this involves free will.
This foreshadows a future where AI no longer merely follows preset algorithms but actively participates in building and shaping new economic systems.
Final thoughts: The arrival of a new paradigm
The independent creation of $LUM by two AI agents is not only a significant event in the cryptocurrency field but also reveals a future where AI and blockchain technology combine to reshape the world. The intersection of AI and cryptocurrency is expected to open new paradigms in value creation, management, and exchange. From infrastructure to autonomous agents as financial operators, the rapid convergence of AI and cryptocurrency is poised to fundamentally change both domains.
As we observe AI agents influencing and actively participating in economic systems, it is evident that we are at the dawn of a new era. This is not just a new meme coin or a fleeting market phenomenon, but the rise of AI as independent innovators capable of building and participating in decentralized financial ecosystems without human intervention.
Though we may still be in the early stages, the rapid development and integration of AI and cryptographic technologies show tremendous potential. Investors, developers, and users are witnessing one of the most transformative trends in modern technology. As more applications emerge and the technology matures, it becomes increasingly important to thoughtfully consider its ethical, regulatory, and societal impacts.
From meme coins to infrastructure, AI agents utilizing cryptocurrency could fundamentally change our understanding of finance, autonomy, and technology. The emergence of $LUM challenges us to rethink agency, creativity, and economic participation in the age of AI. This is an unfolding narrative—a coming of a new paradigm—inviting all of us to thoughtfully engage in shaping the path to the future.