AI agent tokens, celebrated for their utility and futuristic appeal, are steadily outpacing memecoins in trading volume and market interest. Dragonfly Capital’s managing partner, Haseeb Qureshi, believes this trend will dominate through 2025, signaling a transition from “financial nihilism to financial over-optimism.”
AI Tokens Outpace Memecoins
“Memecoins are losing market share to AI agent tokens,” Qureshi stated in a January 1 post on X, attributing the shift to the increasing fascination with artificial intelligence-driven solutions like chatbots, which provide insights and predictions for crypto users. Over the last 24 hours, memecoin trading volume fell by 21.5%, while AI and data token trading rose by 7.95%, according to CoinMarketCap.
Despite their current dominance, Qureshi is cautious about the long-term sustainability of AI tokens. He forecasts that as the market becomes saturated with advanced applications, the novelty of social media chatbots and their associated tokens will wane.
2026: A Predicted Turning Point
Looking ahead, Qureshi anticipates a “sudden reversal” in 2026. As smart chatbots become ubiquitous, their novelty may erode, turning sentiment against them. “Crypto takes a while to get bored of the shiny thing, but eventually, the over-optimism fades,” Qureshi remarked.
Even as tokens like Virtuals Protocol, Bittensor, and Theta Network dominate the AI sector, Qureshi warns of vulnerabilities. Current AI agents can be manipulated, risking brand damage or misuse. Popular tools like Aixbt, known for aggregating crypto data, could also face challenges with accuracy and relevance as competition intensifies.
Despite potential pitfalls, some industry players remain optimistic. Crypto trader Mckenna advised their followers to monitor the evolving AI landscape, suggesting, “Pay attention, and you will get paid.” Similarly, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley likened the rise of artificial intelligence agents to the birth of corporations in the 19th century, noting their potential to revolutionize how entities interact and operate in the digital age.
