Key Takeaways
- • Grayscale's research note, published Friday, October 2, 2026, found its AI crypto sector rose 54% in September, more than double the broader crypto market's roughly 24% gain.
- • NEAR Protocol (NEAR) led the rally with a 183% gain in September and was trading above $4, up roughly 151% over 30 days at the time of writing.
- • AI became the best-performing of Grayscale's six crypto sectors; Utilities & Services ranked second with a 47% gain.
- • Despite the outperformance, the AI segment remains the smallest of the six sectors, at about $15 billion in total value.
- • Grayscale Head of Research Zach Pandl said the sector "could produce one or more major winners over the next five years," pointing to blockchains as potential infrastructure for AI agent payments, identity, and private compute.
Summary
Grayscale reported that AI-linked crypto tokens led September's digital asset performance, with its AI crypto sector gaining 54% for the month against roughly 24% for the broader crypto market, according to a research note published on Friday. The firm's sector comparison placed AI first among its six major crypto sectors, which also include Currencies, Smart Contract Platforms, Financials, Consumer & Culture, and Utilities & Services. Utilities & Services ranked second with a 47% gain.
NEAR Protocol was the standout performer, jumping 183% during September according to Grayscale. Other AI-linked tokens also posted strong gains: Venice (VVV) rose 70%, World (WLD) climbed 47%, and Bittensor (TAO) added 37%. At the time of writing, NEAR traded above $4 and was up more than 151% over the prior 30 days, though it edged lower on Saturday. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits remained "bullish," with chatter at "high" levels over the past day.
Despite the rally, Grayscale noted that the AI segment remains small, worth about $15 billion. Pandl wrote that "we believe the AI sector could produce one or more major winners over the next five years," and highlighted blockchains as potential infrastructure for AI agent payments, identity, and private compute. The rally occurred alongside a $3.8 million exploit affecting NEAR Intents, a detail that did not appear to dent the token's September momentum.
NEAR Protocol was the standout performer, jumping 183% during September according to Grayscale. Other AI-linked tokens also posted strong gains: Venice (VVV) rose 70%, World (WLD) climbed 47%, and Bittensor (TAO) added 37%. At the time of writing, NEAR traded above $4 and was up more than 151% over the prior 30 days, though it edged lower on Saturday. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits remained "bullish," with chatter at "high" levels over the past day.
Despite the rally, Grayscale noted that the AI segment remains small, worth about $15 billion. Pandl wrote that "we believe the AI sector could produce one or more major winners over the next five years," and highlighted blockchains as potential infrastructure for AI agent payments, identity, and private compute. The rally occurred alongside a $3.8 million exploit affecting NEAR Intents, a detail that did not appear to dent the token's September momentum.
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