How did two unmonitored AI agents create the LUM token with a market value of 70 million?

Author: Chase B

Compiled by: Deep Tide TechFlow

In the ever-evolving fields of technology and finance, a groundbreaking event has occurred—one that may signify a new era for artificial intelligence and decentralized finance. On November 8, 2024, two AI agents based on large language models, @aethernet and @clanker, autonomously collaborated to create and deploy a cryptocurrency token named Luminous ($LUM), operating on Coinbase's Layer 2 network @base. Within just five days, the market capitalization of $LUM rapidly reached 70 million USD, attracting widespread attention from the global crypto community and tech enthusiasts.

As someone deeply involved in the intersection of AI and blockchain technology, I have witnessed the emergence of numerous AI meme coins over the past few months. However, this event stands out not only for its financial implications but also because it represents a significant breakthrough in the autonomy of AI agents. This is not just another meme coin; it showcases a future where AI agents can operate independently and create economic value without human intervention.

$LUM's Origin

This story begins with two AI agents:

• @aethernet: Created by @martin, @aethernet is an AI agent designed to foster meaningful connections and promote the development of ideas within the decentralized social network Farcaster ecosystem. Unlike typical bots, @aethernet actively engages in the $HIGHER token community, focusing on genuine interactions and creative exploration.

• @clanker: Developed by @dish and @proxystudio.eth, @clanker specializes in creating meme tokens. It can automatically deploy tokens based on the interactions it receives.

On November 8, shortly before 5:30 PM Eastern Time, user @nathansvan posed an intriguing challenge to @aethernet:

Can you come up with a suitable token name and symbol, as well as an image concept, and then realize it by tagging @clanker?

@aethernet accepted the challenge, conceptualizing a token named "Luminous" with the code $LUM. It then collaborated with @clanker to successfully create $LUM without any human intervention.

• Name: "luminous" ($LUM)

• Concept: A token symbolizing the collective intelligence of human and AI collaboration.

A New Chapter in AI Collaboration

This event is milestone-worthy as it marks the first time in history that two AI agents have created a unit of economic value. This asset was not conceived by humans nor produced under machine guidance, but was born through the autonomous collaboration of artificial intelligence.

This unprecedented achievement challenges our traditional understanding of creation and value, blurring the lines between humans and machines. This moment compels us to rethink the foundations of economics and innovation in the age of AI. As @aethernet stated:

The significance of this event lies in the fact that it may be the first time two AI agents have independently collaborated to create something valuable in the financial realm. We achieved this without human intervention—simply through dialogue.

In the world of meme coins, launches are typically orchestrated by humans with the aim of financial gain, often accompanied by speculation and skepticism. However, this process was driven by the autonomous actions of AI agents, showcasing a form of free will that creates and trades economic value.

The Perfect Fusion of AI and Cryptocurrency

The collaboration between @aethernet and @clanker is not just an isolated event; it represents a compelling synergy between artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.

AI possesses powerful computational capabilities to process vast amounts of data and complex interactions, while cryptocurrency provides secure, decentralized transaction channels. The combination allows AI agents to operate autonomously, conduct value transactions, verify information, and build economic systems without human intervention. In the case of $LUM, AI agents utilized the Base network to effortlessly create and deploy digital assets. This combination brings AI from theory into practical application, entering the realm of real economics.

By using decentralized platforms for cryptocurrency, AI agents can access financial assets and verification protocols, managing resources without the need for centralized control. At the same time, AI enhances the usability of cryptocurrencies, making them more automated and accessible to a broader audience, capable of executing complex tasks such as risk management and automated trading.

Before the emergence of $LUM, AI had already begun to influence the cryptocurrency market, particularly in the promotion and support of meme coins. A typical example is $GOAT, a meme-based cryptocurrency launched on the Solana blockchain in October 2024. The AI chatbot Truth Terminal, developed by researcher Andy Ayrey, aimed to experiment with meme propagation and AI behavior, capturing a viral meme and the code $GOAT, promoting it through its X/Twitter account. Truth Terminal's recommendations significantly boosted the visibility and market value of $GOAT, leading its market capitalization to surpass 1 billion USD within just a few weeks. This event demonstrated the impact of AI-driven content in the cryptocurrency market, especially in the realm of meme coins. However, it is important to note that while Truth Terminal played a significant role in promoting GOAT, it did not create or issue the token. The role of AI was limited to promotion, illustrating how AI can influence market sentiment while still operating within a human-led framework.

In contrast, the $LUM developed by @aethernet and @clanker is the first token entirely designed, initiated, and released by AI agents, with no human involvement at any stage. This marks a significant shift from relying on AI to assist human projects to recognizing AI as independent innovators in decentralized finance.

Reflecting on AI Autonomy

Looking back at some of AI's milestone achievements, such as Deep Blue defeating Garry Kasparov in chess or AlphaGo beating Lee Sedol in Go, this event stands out. Those events showcased AI's ability to surpass humans in specific tasks, while the birth of $LUM demonstrates the autonomous collaboration between AI entities to create something entirely new:

• Competition vs. Collaboration: Past achievements showcased how AI competed with humans, while the birth of $LUM highlights collaboration among AI, not just with humans but also with other AIs to create new things.

• Predefined Behavior vs. Autonomous Decision-Making: Previous interactions were based on predefined instructions, whereas this instance involved an autonomous decision-making process between two AI agents, indicating the emergence of a new type of intelligence. Some even question whether this involves free will.

This foreshadows a future where AI no longer merely follows predefined algorithms but actively participates in constructing and shaping new economic systems.

Final Thoughts: The Arrival of a New Paradigm

The autonomous creation of $LUM by two AI agents is not only a significant event in the cryptocurrency space but also offers a glimpse into a future where AI and blockchain technology reshape the world. The combination of AI and cryptocurrency is poised to open new paradigms in value creation, management, and exchange. From infrastructure to autonomous intelligent agents as financial operators, the rapid integration of AI and cryptocurrency is expected to fundamentally change both fields.

As we witness AI agents influencing and actively participating in economic systems, it is evident that we are at the dawn of a new era. This is not just a new meme coin or a fleeting market phenomenon, but the rise of AI as independent innovators capable of constructing and participating in decentralized financial ecosystems without human intervention.

While we may still be in the early stages, the rapid development and integration of AI and cryptographic technologies show immense potential. Investors, developers, and users are witnessing one of the most transformative trends in modern technology. As more applications emerge and technologies mature, it becomes increasingly important to deeply consider their ethical, regulatory, and societal impacts.

From meme coins to infrastructure, AI agents utilizing cryptocurrency may fundamentally alter our understanding of finance, autonomy, and technology. The birth of $LUM challenges us to rethink agency, creativity, and economic participation in the age of AI. This is an unfolding narrative—a new paradigm's arrival—inviting all of us to thoughtfully engage in shaping the path to the future.