Theses 2026: Crypto x AI – Why BitTensor Could Be the “Bitcoin of Open AI Competition” | Fully Diluted with Messari Research

In this episode, Dylan, Sami and Seth break down why crypto + AI isn’t just a moral counterweight to Big Tech—it’s a faster innovation engine. They explain how BitTensor’s subnet model turns AI development into an open, incentive-driven competition (similar to how Bitcoin relentlessly optimized SHA-256), and why 2025’s biggest shifts—open-source catching up, reinforcement learning’s rise, and massive data center capex—set the stage for decentralized AI to find real product-market fit. The conversation also digs into value accrual, why buybacks can be a trap, and which crypto-AI sectors could surprise people in 2026 (agents, privacy, robotics, and GPU financing).

📘 Read the full (free) Crypto Theses 2026 report: https://messari.io/report/the-crypto-theses-2026

0:00 AI & DePIN Trends

10:28 Training Subnets

14:07 Investing Approach

20:25 Revenue Growth

22:35 Token Strategy

40:26 Compute & Infra

41:59 Future Outlook

Hosted by Chris Davis of Messari

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This episode and its contents do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Messari, Inc. Hosts and guests may hold cryptocurrencies discussed in this content. This content is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as investment advice. You should conduct your own research, and consult an independent financial, tax, or legal advisor before making any investment decisions. Nothing contained in this content is a recommendation or suggestion, directly or indirectly, to buy, sell, make, or hold any investment, loan, commodity, or security, or to undertake any investment or trading strategy with respect to any investment, loan, commodity, security, or any issuer. This content should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security or commodity. Messari does not guarantee the sequence, accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information provided in this content.