Crypto x AI: How On-Chain Agents, Zero-Knowledge Proofs and DePIN Are Rewiring Web3
Crypto x AI is transforming Web3 into an ecosystem where AI agents operate on‑chain, zero‑knowledge proofs protect privacy, and DePIN connects autonomous systems to real‑world infrastructure.
AI agents on blockchain
AI agents on blockchain are autonomous programs with crypto wallets that can trade, lend, borrow, and interact with DeFi protocols without constant human input. In 2025, these Web3 AI agents run on‑chain, execute AI DeFi trading strategies, and even act as AI trading bots for businesses and DAOs, creating a new “business‑to‑agent” (B2A) model.
Because on‑chain agents are fully transparent, every transaction is visible, but that transparency also means identity and permissions must be handled carefully. This is where crypto AI systems increasingly rely on zero‑knowledge proofs and decentralized identity to give AI agents verifiable, privacy‑preserving credentials.
Zero‑knowledge proofs and Web3 privacy
Zero‑knowledge proofs (ZKPs) allow agents to prove facts like “this wallet passed KYC” or “this account has enough collateral” without revealing the underlying data. In practice, ZK rollups and ZK layers offer both scalability and Web3 privacy, which is crucial when AI agents handle user funds, sensitive strategies, or regulated activities.
For Web3 identity, ZKPs support decentralized identity systems where AI agents and users hold attestations instead of sharing raw documents. This privacy‑preserving compliance pattern is becoming a core part of AI in Web3, especially for institutions that want AI agents to interact safely with DeFi, stablecoins, and tokenized assets.
DePIN and real‑world infrastructure
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) use tokens and smart contracts to coordinate hardware and services like wireless networks, sensors, compute, and storage. By 2025, top DePIN crypto projects span networks for connectivity, GPU/compute sharing, mapping, and energy markets, forming a key layer of Web3 infrastructure.
AI agents can plug into DePIN to request or provide resources automatically: renting decentralized compute to run models, routing data through Web3 networks, or balancing tokenized energy supply and demand. This makes DePIN and crypto AI tightly linked, as autonomous agents become both users and coordinators of physical infrastructure at internet scale.
How crypto x AI is rewiring Web3
When combined, crypto AI agents, zero‑knowledge proofs, and DePIN push Web3 beyond speculation and into autonomous, always‑on services. On‑chain agents execute strategies in DeFi automation, ZKPs secure Web3 identity and privacy, and DePIN anchors these systems to real‑world infrastructure and data.
The result is a new generation of AI powered Web3 applications: AI agents that manage treasuries, operate liquidity positions, optimize resource use across DePIN, and interact with humans and other agents through trust‑minimized crypto rails. As this stack grows, governance, security, and regulation around AI agents on blockchain will be as important as the core technology in shaping how Web3 evolves.
Sources:
https://boldergroup.com/insights/2025-the-rise-of-ai-agents-in-crypto/
https://www.ampcome.com/post/ai-agents-in-crypto-2025-guide
https://blog.shinkai.com/crypto-ai-agents-in-2025-an-overview-of-their-role-and-impact/
https://coinlaunch.space/blog/top-depin-crypto-projects/