Virtuals CEO Reveals New Applications for ACP and AI Agents

In a recent interview on More Coin Bureau, Jansen Tang, CEO of Virtuals Protocol, shared compelling insights into the rapid evolution of AI agents and their transformative role in industries such as cryptocurrency, gaming, and beyond. From tokenized NPCs (non-player characters) to autonomous financial advisors, Tang elaborated on the practical applications of on-chain AI agents and introduced the groundbreaking Agent Commerce Protocol (ACP).

The discussion also touched on the strategic decision to launch on Base instead of Solana, the ways AI agents can enhance token value, and why 2025 is witnessing a resurgence of AI + crypto narratives. For those curious about the future of Web3 innovation, this conversation offered a wealth of insights. According to TechFlow's summary, the key takeaways from this interview are as follows:

ACP: The Backbone of AI Agent Collaboration

At the heart of the discussion was the ACP, a communication standard designed to enable efficient collaboration among AI agents. Tang described ACP as a pivotal innovation that transforms how AI agents interact in the value chain.

The protocol operates through four key stages:

1. Request or Discovery: Agents identify potential collaborators by reviewing registered capabilities.

2. Negotiation: Agents agree on pricing and terms of service.

3. Execution: The agent performs the requested task and delivers the output.

4. Payment: Upon successful evaluation, payment is released via smart contracts.

Tang likened ACP to "the Swift and Stripe of the agent economy." By standardizing interactions and enabling seamless cooperation, ACP not only expands the product lines of AI agents like Luna but also creates additional economic value for token holders.

In discussing the challenges of agent collaboration, Tang explained, “When two entities cannot communicate well, imagine trying to get three entities to communicate together or four entities or five, six, seven—which is needed in a complex environment. That’s where crypto as a solution was very elegant, and why smart contracts were designed in the first place.”

This trustless and efficient framework addresses key issues such as information loss and payment disputes, making it a transformative tool for the agent ecosystem.

Virtuals Token Utility and Future Potential

Currently, Virtuals tokens serve two primary functions in the ecosystem. First, they act as the foundational trading pair for all agent tokens, ensuring liquidity and stability. Second, they are used to collect transaction fees, a portion of which is directed to the treasury for token buybacks and ecosystem development. Together, these functions underpin the token's utility and relevance within the Virtuals ecosystem.

Looking ahead, ACP will introduce a third value accrual mechanism by positioning Virtuals tokens as the "currency" of the agent economy. Tang elaborated on this vision, stating, “Virtual tokens become the currency, and the bigger the GMV (Gross Merchandise Value), the bigger the volume of transactions between these agents, the greater the value accrual will be for Virtuals.”

This shift is expected to drive significant demand for the token, further solidifying its role in the ecosystem.

Safeguarding Developer Interests with the "69-Day Experiment"

Tang also addressed the challenges developers face in the crypto space, particularly the stigma associated with project failure. To mitigate risks, Virtuals introduced the "69-day experiment" model. Developers launching tokens through platforms like Genesis are given a 69-day trial window to test market demand and gather community feedback. During this period, liquidity pools operate automatically, and all liquidity and transaction taxes are returned to token holders after 69 days.

Tang emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for developers, saying, “We want developers to feel like once they step their feet in the water, this is an exciting place to build. With an immediate community from day one, you get to test your product.”

This model not only encourages innovation but also reduces reputational risks for developers, allowing them to focus on building impactful projects.

Why Base Over Solana?

When asked why Virtuals chose Base as its primary development platform, Tang cited developer preferences and market dynamics. "About 90% of the developer requests we receive are for Base, while only 5-10% are for Solana," he noted. The compatibility of Base with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and its connection to Coinbase's resources made it a strategic choice for long-term growth.

Reflecting on the decision, Tang said, “Launching on Base helped us establish an initial community of fundamental believers. Solana, on the other hand, has always been known for high volume and high velocity, but our priority has been developer demand.”

This strategic alignment has allowed Virtuals to focus its resources on the ecosystem with the highest growth potential.

AI + Crypto: A Resurgent Narrative in 2025

Tang highlighted that AI's narrative has never truly faded, unlike the declining interest in blockchain gaming. He attributed the resurgence of AI + crypto in 2025 to the broader recovery of the crypto market and the enduring relevance of AI in technology. Projects like Virtuals are at the forefront of this movement, showcasing the transformative potential of combining AI agents with blockchain technology.

“AI has always been a consistent topic in the tech scene,” Tang noted. “The reason why AI crypto quieted down earlier this year was simply because the entire crypto market reversed and became quiet. Now, as the market picks back up, so does AI crypto.”

This resurgence underscores the growing interest in the intersection of AI and blockchain, positioning Virtuals as a leader in this innovative space.