As technological innovation continues to reshape global industries, the US government and private sector are taking significant steps to position the nation as a leader in emerging technologies. In his final days in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to incentivize private sector investment in AI infrastructure, while Eliza Labs unveiled a groundbreaking framework for Web3-native AI agents, signaling a shift toward integrating artificial intelligence into blockchain ecosystems.
Eliza Labs Unveils Vision for Web3-Native AI Agents with ai16z White Paper
Eliza Labs, the cutting-edge developer behind the ai16z project, has released a landmark white paper outlining its vision for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the Web3 ecosystem. Published on Jan. 14, the 20-page document provides an in-depth look at "Eliza," the AI agent toolkit designed to create a seamless framework for Web3-native AI applications.
Eliza, launched in 2024, is a robust operating system engineered to empower AI agents with capabilities such as reading and writing blockchain data, interacting with smart contracts, and conducting complex operations. The toolkit aims to serve as an "ideal agentic framework," seamlessly connecting Web3 applications with advanced AI functionalities.
The white paper shows Eliza's transformative potential, highlighting its ability to enable AI agents to autonomously analyze blockchain data, manage portfolios, and execute trades. This innovation targets a growing need among individual investors for intelligent systems to optimize trading strategies and portfolio management.
“Individual investors are in dire need of a system to help manage their portfolios and conduct intelligent operations and trades,” the white paper asserts. By integrating Eliza into the Web3 environment, Eliza Labs aims to democratize access to advanced AI tools, significantly lowering the entry barriers for everyday users.
The concept of agentic AIs — machines capable of autonomously pursuing complex goals — is rapidly gaining traction. Industry executives anticipate that these systems will revolutionize Web3 in 2025, with cryptocurrency trading expected to be one of the earliest use cases.
“AI agents are expected to take on a more prominent role within decentralized communities,” said J.D. Seraphine, CEO of Web3 AI developer Raiinmaker, in a statement. These agents are already reshaping the digital economy by building decentralized applications, launching tokens, and interacting independently with human users.
According to a December report by VanEck, Web3 currently hosts approximately 10,000 AI agents, collectively earning millions of dollars weekly through on-chain activities. The report projects that this number will skyrocket to over 1 million AI agents by the end of 2025, emphasizing the accelerating adoption of AI-driven technologies in decentralized ecosystems.
Central to Eliza Labs' mission is the ai16z project, which describes itself as "the first investment DAO led by AI agents." Launched in October 2024, ai16z has quickly gained traction, with its native token, AI16Z, reaching a market capitalization of nearly $1.4 billion within months of its debut.
The Eliza operating system currently powers over a dozen Web3 AI agents, according to the Elizaverse Observatory, a community-maintained dashboard. These agents are at the forefront of a growing ecosystem of autonomous AI entities actively engaging with blockchain technologies.
AI Tokens on the Rise
The broader market for AI tokens experienced explosive growth in 2024, with the combined market capitalization of tokens tied to AI agents surpassing $10 billion, primarily during Q4, according to data from CoinGecko.
AI16Z has emerged as a standout performer in this sector, reflecting the growing confidence in AI-driven Web3 projects. The surge in interest suggests a demand for innovations like Eliza that can integrate AI and blockchain to create powerful decentralized tools.
As agentic AI systems gain prominence, their applications within Web3 are poised to expand. These autonomous agents promise to transform decentralized communities by streamlining complex operations, enhancing user experiences, and driving innovation in blockchain-based ecosystems.
By fostering the development of Web3-native AI agents, Eliza Labs is not only democratizing access to advanced technologies but also paving the way for a future where AI and blockchain converge seamlessly. With the anticipated proliferation of AI agents on blockchain networks, 2025 could mark a defining year for the integration of AI in decentralized ecosystems.
As Eliza Labs continues to refine its toolkit and expand its ecosystem, the Web3 landscape may soon be dominated by intelligent agents capable of reshaping the way people interact with blockchain technology.
President Biden Signs Executive Order to Boost AI Infrastructure as Term Nears End
In one of his final acts as the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden has signed an executive order aimed at solidifying the nation’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The order, announced on Jan. 14, directs federal resources and land to incentivize private sector innovation in AI while ensuring national security and economic competitiveness.
The executive order, titled “Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure,” calls upon the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy to lease federal land for the development of AI infrastructure. This initiative seeks to create a partnership between the government and private industry to enhance US capabilities in AI research, deployment, and security.
“This renewed partnership between the government and industry will ensure that the United States will continue to lead the age of AI,” President Biden stated in a White House press release.
The text of the order mandates that federal sites involved in these developments must utilize an “appropriate share” of US-manufactured semiconductors, a move likely aimed at bolstering domestic production in a critical sector. Additionally, the government will oversee private sector developers working on these projects to evaluate the national security implications of AI models created on-site.
The executive order reflects a growing recognition of the transformative and potentially disruptive power of AI. By involving federal oversight, the order addresses concerns about AI safety and the risks associated with the technology’s misuse in critical domains such as cybersecurity and defense. Analysts believe this move could also help the US counter foreign competitors investing heavily in AI infrastructure.
The AI-focused directive marks the 157th executive order signed by President Biden since assuming office in January 2021, and his eighth in 2025. Throughout his presidency, Biden has leveraged executive orders to tackle major issues, including climate change, digital assets, and now, artificial intelligence.
In 2022, Biden signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to explore a regulatory framework for digital assets, marking one of the administration’s early steps into the intersection of technology and governance.
A Parting Gesture Amidst Transition
Biden’s latest executive order comes as the nation prepares for a transition of power. On Jan. 20, President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office, marking his second term in the White House. Reports suggest that Trump may hit the ground running with a series of executive orders, including those addressing cryptocurrency regulations and financial technology.
The president-elect has already outlined an ambitious tech agenda, promising to ban the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), mandate that all Bitcoin mined within the US be added to a national Bitcoin reserve, and create policies to combat the debanking of crypto firms. These proposals have sparked widespread debate within the tech and financial sectors.
While Biden’s executive order has garnered support from many in the tech industry, it has also faced criticism. Some industry leaders argue that mandating the use of US-manufactured semiconductors could hurt private companies by limiting their access to cheaper or more advanced components sourced internationally.
Additionally, the timing of the order — just days before Biden’s departure from office — has raised eyebrows. Critics suggest that significant policy shifts introduced so late in an administration may lack continuity under a new leadership.
President Biden’s executive order sheds light on the growing urgency to position the United States as a global leader in AI. By incentivizing private sector investment and ensuring responsible development, the administration aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities posed by AI.
As the Biden administration exits and the Trump administration begins, the future of US technology policy — from AI to cryptocurrency — remains a focal point of national and global attention. Whether this latest initiative will yield long-term benefits depends on how effectively it is implemented and whether the incoming administration chooses to build upon or redirect the course set by its predecessor.