Ethereum Foundation Launches AI Team for Decentralized Payments and Coordination

The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is establishing an AI-focused group to position Ethereum as the settlement and coordination layer for the "machine economy," according to researcher Davide Crapis.

The new dAI Team aims to enable AI agents to operate without intermediaries and develop a decentralized AI stack free from major corporate control.
Ethereum's neutrality and censorship resistance make it a suitable base layer for AI systems.

Background on Ethereum Foundation

EF supports Ethereum blockchain development and funds ecosystem projects, including upgrades like Ethereum 2.0.
The foundation also organizes community events and advocates for blockchain adoption.
In 2025, EF restructured to focus on ecosystem acceleration and technology specialization.

Crapis’s Role and Objectives

Crapis will lead the dAI Team, linking its efforts with EF’s protocol group and ecosystem support.
The team intends to fund projects at the intersection of AI and blockchain.

ERC-8004 and Trust Standards

The team will build on ERC-8004, which aims to verify AI agent identities and trustworthiness.
New standards and upgrades will be supported, guided by Ethereum’s core values.

Significance

This initiative reflects Ethereum's ambition to integrate emerging technologies beyond finance.
An increase in AI transactions could boost demand for Ethereum-based systems and standards.
The effort offers an alternative to centralized AI platforms.

The Ethereum Foundation is actively hiring and providing resources to connect AI developers with the Ethereum ecosystem, aiming to advance research in the field.