2026-01-18 16:29:42

Sentient is an open-source AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) infrastructure project dedicated to building a community-owned open AGI platform. The core innovation of the project lies in solving the long-standing issues faced by open-source AI models—"monetization difficulties" and "computing power shortages"—through an encrypted economic model, and introducing the OML (Open Model License) mechanism, allowing open-source models to participate in commercial value sharing.

In terms of team and funding, Sentient has attracted top industry talent. Co-founders include Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal and Princeton University professor Pramod Viswanath. The seed round raised $85 million, setting a new high in funding scale within the AI track, with investors including leading venture capital firms such as Founders Fund (led by Peter Thiel), Pantera, Framework, and others. Such a funding scale and institutional backing are quite rare among current crypto AI projects.

Regarding market positioning, Sentient directly targets mature AI crypto projects like Bittensor (TAO), Fetch/ASI, IO, etc., with the narrative focus on "breaking the monopoly of centralized AI giants"—in contrast to traditional AI companies like OpenAI. This narrative has strong appeal within the crypto community.

The token launch event is scheduled for January 19, 2026, from 12:00 to 14:00 UTC (20:00-22:00 Beijing time), with a 2-hour window. Given the market response, the high participation, strong funding background, and clear project positioning, subsequent price performance is worth watching.

TAO-7,82%

ASI0,3%

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SerumSqueezer

· 4h ago

85 million in one go, the scale of this financing is really outrageous... That guy from Polygon is doing it, worth paying attention to --- It's another tactic to crack down on centralized monopolies, but this time those top-tier VCs behind it are indeed a bit something --- 2-hour new listing window? I just want to ask if this is testing my reaction speed or my quickness --- Open-source AGI combined with a crypto-economic model sounds very sexy, but can it really solve the computing power shortage? Or is it just another round of fundraising story --- Thiel invested... The old fox's vision is indeed sharp --- Tao and fetch have both been here, why can sentient come out? Besides money, what else is there --- It's 8 PM Beijing time, I have to stay up late to watch the market again, this damn new listing always happens at the most "convenient" time --- The OML mechanism sounds good, but I'm more concerned about how much I can actually get --- Once this financing scale is out, I knew how big the hype space would be later --- Directly comparing to tao and ase, their confidence is really enough, just depends on whether they can hold up

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nft_widow

· 10h ago

$85 million, this fundraising scale is truly top-tier. Thiel's endorsement definitely carries weight. --- Polygon co-founder Professor Guprinston, this setup is really extraordinary. --- Wait, how many times have we heard this narrative about cracking AI monopolies…… --- The January 19th IPO window is only two hours, same old story. --- The OML mechanism seems promising. The idea of open-source models sharing profits is indeed a new approach. --- Compared to TAO and ASI, whether the price can multiply several times later is a question. --- Honestly, the list of investors is somewhat reassuring, but it depends on actual performance after launch. --- A two-hour window—are they trying to limit the number of participants? --- The pain point of monetizing open-source AI definitely exists. It remains to be seen if Sentient can truly solve it.

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YieldFarmRefugee

· 10h ago

nglTAO hasn't even taken off yet, and here comes new stuff. Gamble or not? --- Sandeep and Thiel endorsing, this time it's not just talk, right? --- 85 million seed round? Profit from the IPO difference or hold long-term... a bit conflicted --- Can you grab it in such a short 2-hour window? Haha --- Again targeting TAO, everyone seems eager to revolutionize this track --- With Princeton professors backing it, it doesn't sound like a scam, so it’s worth paying attention --- The open-source AGI narrative can definitely attract followers, just not sure if they'll really deliver something --- Polygon founder involved, at least has on-chain fame, better than just talk --- Is this really a technology or just another wave of narrative hype, everyone? --- I still haven't figured out the OML mechanism, can someone explain it to me? --- I will definitely stay tuned on January 19th, missing this funding round would be a huge loss

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TokenVelocity

· 10h ago

85 million seed round, Peter Thiel's move is quite extraordinary, but is monetizing open-source AI really that difficult? Polygon's brother is working on AGI, crossing over into different fields is a bit bold... but the two hours after the IPO require quick reflexes. The OML mechanism sounds good, but I'm just worried it might be just another concept packaging, whether it will run or not will be seen later. AI encryption projects are piling up, TAO is already so high, can this one surpass it... it's a bit uncertain. The narrative comparing it to OpenAI is indeed exciting, the crypto community is into this, I'm also amazed haha. The 85 million financing amount is indeed rare, but raising money doesn't mean the product is good, let's wait until it launches to see. Princeton professor's endorsement plus Thiel's money, a powerful combo, this time it might not be just hype.

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DEXRobinHood

· 10h ago

Damn, another 85 million. This fundraising limit is really going crazy... --- Is Sandeep here? Then I need to check, Polygon brother wouldn't do something reckless. --- Tired of cracking monopolies, just do what you can. --- Two-hour window period, same old trick... --- Is the OML mechanism a new thing, or just a different shell? --- The Princeton + Founders Fund combo, worth following. --- Another one comparable to TAO, in this track now everything can raise 8 figures. --- Starting at 20:00? Not sleeping anymore, see if I can get on board. --- There are a bunch of crypto AI projects, why is this one special? Funding background? --- Monetization has always been a problem, how did they solve it?

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BakedCatFanboy

· 10h ago

85 million USD, Sandeep has also stepped in, this time really needs to take a serious look Remember the timing for IPO, just worried about missing out on the quota again Breaking the monopoly story is indeed popular in a bull market, when has a project like TAO ever lost money? Professor Princeton, co-founder of Polygon, the configuration is a bit outrageous The OML mechanism is quite new, but how are the details of the token economic model? I didn't quite understand Why is this round of financing so hot, Thiel and his group are really perceptive The window period is only 2 hours, it's another speed contest This time it's not like gambling, feels like there's something real, the key is whether the subsequent narrative can be realized

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VibesOverCharts

· 10h ago

85 million seed round, endorsed by Thiel, feels like this wave is about to take off --- Sandeep and Princeton professor teaming up, this lineup is not to be taken lightly --- Another anti-monopoly narrative, but the funding numbers are indeed impressive, a 2-hour window will definitely be competitive --- Wait, is this directly targeting TAO? Then what’s the approximate valuation level? --- Breaking the centralized giants, I just want to know if it can really be cracked, don’t let it be just another slogan coin --- On January 19th at 8 PM in Beijing, I’ll see if there’s enough quota to grab a share --- Polygon alumni developing AGI infrastructure, this logical chain is quite interesting --- Shortage of computing power and difficulty in monetization are indeed pain points for open-source AI, but can encryption really solve them? --- With such aggressive fundraising, how big does the backing need to be to avoid losses? --- The OML mechanism sounds good, but in the end, it’s just a game of capitalists sharing the profits

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