Original Title: Agent Ecosystem = The New L1
Original Author: 0xJeff, AI Investor
Original Translation: Ismay, BlockBeats
Do you remember the L2 boom of 2022-2023?
The best strategy at the time was to hoard leading DEXs, top lending markets, Solidly fork projects, LSTs, yield optimizers, etc. Everyone was chasing token launches, participating in airdrops, or injecting TVL into L2 platforms like Blast to earn points.
That period was chaotic, but it did work (at least for a few months).
Now, the same enthusiasm is emerging again, but this time, the rules have completely changed.
The Agent ecosystem is reshaping our understanding of the market, with a structure completely different from the past.
No VC dominance
In the L2 era, token distribution always followed a fixed formula:
The team takes 15-30%, VCs and KOLs take 10-30%, and the rest is used for incentives and rewards distribution.
But in the Agent ecosystem, the situation is completely different. Tokens are 100% owned by the community; the team may reserve 5% for incentives, and the rest is left to circulate freely in the market.
What does this mean?
Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in purchases without worrying about VC unlocks or insider sell-off risks. If you want to gain exposure, you must bear the same market risks as others.
What about the OTC trading circles of KOLs?
Some projects do offer discounted OTC trading, but generally:
• Scale is strictly limited;
• Priority allocation to partners that align closely with the ecosystem, such as DAOs or influencers actively supporting ecological development.
This is no longer the model of 'VC lifting the platform, retail investors catching the falling knife,' but a more equitable, streamlined system that truly puts power in the hands of the community.
No trend of 'copy-paste'
At least not in the DeFi space, where various projects from Uniswap to Liquity have been repeatedly forked with almost no innovation.
Here, everything revolves around brand new innovations. Developers are not simply copying existing projects but are releasing entirely new Agents and new application scenarios at an astonishing pace.
Why is that?
The iteration speed of AI applications is faster:
• No need to spend months on audits;
• The launch timeline for most Agents is measured in weeks, not months;
• The entire field is vibrant, experimental, and creative.
Something exciting happens almost every week, and as AI technology continues to evolve, the narrative of Web3 AI Agents is also continuously evolving.
A brand new user acquisition model
In traditional DeFi, users need:
• Find the project's website;
• Take time to understand the product;
• Perhaps interact with the product.
And the Agent completely overturns this approach, presenting products directly to users.
Taking @aixbt_agent as an example, it provides valuable information in real-time directly on CT (Crypto Twitter). Users immediately feel the value, generate interest, and further explore. Ultimately, they will purchase tokens to fully unlock product features.
This 'interact first, trade later' funnel model is more effective. With the popularization of on-chain trading Agents and DeFi Agents, this model is expected to dominate before 2025.
Highly curated ecosystem
No longer thousands of fragmented L2s and dApps, but an ecosystem that is closely interconnected like the one below:
• @virtuals_io (Base)
• @ai16zdao (Solana)
• @daosdotworld (Base)
• @daosdotfun (Solana)
What’s the difference?
Developers are no longer attracted by subsidies or incentive mechanisms; they flow in naturally because there is:
• Fairly launched token economic model;
• Enthusiastic community;
• Opportunities to try and innovate in an exciting field.
This is the result of combining fair launches with continuous innovation. Developers, investors, and the community together drive the growth and development of the ecosystem.
How to position yourself in this Agent cycle
It feels like the early days of L1 — but at a much faster pace. Looking back at 2020-2021, many L1s peaked at valuations over $100 billion. The same potential exists here.
If you want to position yourself, you can pay attention to the following Agent-related L1s:
• $VIRTUAL • $AI16Z
• $ZEREBRO • $GRIFFAIN
• $BULLY • $ARC
But don't just chase currently popular projects. Look for:
• Undervalued opportunities outside the current narrative range;
• Teams that move quickly, are good at storytelling, and can build market recognition.
If you want to know more, you can refer to this guide:
Related Reading: (How to seize the hundredfold opportunity of the new narrative in this AI agent cycle?)
Welcome to the new era
The Agent ecosystem is not just a new L1; it is a completely different market structure — faster, leaner, and more community-driven than ever before.
We are entering a cycle that could reshape how Web3 innovation operates, and the journey towards valuations over $100 billion has only just begun.
Welcome aboard, friends, this will be an exciting journey!
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