According to Cointelegraph: The Nansen ‘Beyond DeFi’ report, published in collaboration with MetaStreet on Oct. 14, reveals a shift in the cryptocurrency market toward emerging verticals such as AI services and NodeFi. According to the report, the dominance of ERC-20 tokens and traditional DeFi applications may plateau, with the next wave of blockchain innovation focusing on distributed computing and decentralized infrastructure networks (DePINs).
AI and DePINs Lead Emerging Blockchain Verticals
The report emphasizes the potential growth of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), which offer services such as:
Decentralized energy distribution
Decentralized data storage
Distributed computing and GPU-as-a-service programs
Citing Fortune Business Insights, the report states that the GPU-as-a-service market—key to training AI models—was valued at $3.2 billion in 2023. The report projects increased demand in 2024 and beyond as the generative AI sector matures and expands.
AI Services on Blockchain: A High-Yield Opportunity
According to the report:
“AI-related compute DePIN appears to be in a prime position to become the next major vertical, with a sizeable, fast-growing market, high yield potential, predictable asset prices, and comparatively low implementation complexity.”
The intersection of AI and blockchain is expected to drive significant investments, even though blockchain projects may face competition from traditional infrastructure providers. As the AI boom continues, opportunities for blockchain-based solutions will grow, especially in high-demand computing services.
NodeFi: An Incentivized Market for Node Operators
Another key vertical discussed in the report is NodeFi, which refers to incentivization markets for node operators. Unlike the broader growth of the AI sector, the success of NodeFi depends on individual projects and their implementation.
While AI infrastructure offers predictable returns, NodeFi's viability will depend on the operational efficiency and relevance of the projects it supports.
AI and Blockchain Convergence Offers Long-Term Growth Potential
The report underscores that while blockchain technology is unlikely to dominate the entire AI market, areas where AI and blockchain intersect show the most promising long-term potential. As Cointelegraph previously reported, investments across the AI technology stack are accelerating, with blockchain projects poised to benefit from distributed AI infrastructure.
A New Frontier Beyond DeFi
The Nansen ‘Beyond DeFi’ report suggests that the future of blockchain innovation lies in emerging verticals such as AI services and NodeFi. With AI-related DePINs expected to grow rapidly and the GPU-as-a-service market valued at $3.2 billion, blockchain projects focusing on distributed infrastructure and incentivized nodes may unlock new opportunities.
As the market evolves, AI-powered blockchain solutions are likely to attract high-yield investments and foster innovation beyond traditional DeFi, positioning the sector for sustainable growth.
