Top 3 AI crypto coins to buy ahead of the OpenAI and Anthropic IPOs

What happened

Anthropic recently filed its IPO papers, a strategic move following a significant fundraising round that reportedly valued the organisation at an impressive USD $900 billion. This filing closely followed OpenAI's own submissions to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), signalling a clear intent from both prominent AI entities to go public. Historically, such major public listings in a burgeoning sector – much like the 'space stocks' phenomenon – tend to generate considerable excitement and positive sentiment, often spilling over into related asset classes.

Within the crypto sphere, this sentiment has translated into notable gains for several AI-focused tokens. Near Protocol (NEAR) has seen a substantial price surge, jumping over 200% from its year's lowest point. This upward trajectory continued directly after Anthropic's IPO announcement. Near Protocol is a multifaceted Layer-1 platform used for building decentralised applications (dApps) in areas like decentralised finance (DeFi) and gaming. Crucially, it also operates Near AI, a decentralised AI infrastructure platform featuring an AI agent marketplace and tools like IronClaw, which connects to other applications to automate workflows.

Venice Token (VVV) has also experienced an explosive rise, increasing by over 1,500% from its December lows, propelled by the AI hype. This surge has cemented its position as a top-100 cryptocurrency globally. Venice AI’s platform allows users to confidentially search across multiple AI models, including Grok, Claude, and ChatGPT. The platform employs a 'freemium' model, offering free queries with paid options for expanded usage. A unique aspect of VVV is its token 'burn' mechanism: a portion of the US dollar fees collected from premium services is used to repurchase and burn VVV tokens. Approximately 42% of the total supply has already been burned, a process expected to accelerate. Additionally, VVV holders can participate in staking, potentially earning double-digit returns.

Akash Network (AKT) addresses the escalating demand for computing power, a critical component of AI development. As AI models become more complex, the need for robust data centre infrastructure grows exponentially. While traditional data centre operators like Nvidia and AMD have benefited, Akash Network offers a decentralised alternative. It enables individuals and organisations to lease out their idle computing space, transforming unused resources into an income stream. The platform's operational data indicates daily earnings exceeding USD $7,700, with over 762 active leases, reflecting strong growth. This decentralised approach contrasts with the centralised operations of companies like CoreWeave and Nebius, providing a unique proposition in the AI infrastructure landscape.

Why it matters for Australian investors

The global AI boom and its corresponding crypto sector present a unique lens through which Australian investors can view emerging digital asset trends. While direct investment in OpenAI or Anthropic IPOs might be complex for many, the performance of AI-linked cryptocurrencies offers an alternative avenue to gain exposure to the sector's growth. For example, if Australians believe the demand for decentralised computing (like Akash Network provides) or confidential AI search (like Venice Token offers) will increase, these tokens offer a speculative play.

Australian investors should also consider the regulatory landscape. When engaging with platforms like CoinSpot, Independent Reserve, Swyftx, or BTC Markets, it's essential to understand how these assets are traded, stored, and reported. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidance on cryptocurrency remains crucial, classifying crypto as property for capital gains tax purposes. This means any profits from trading AI-themed tokens, like NEAR, VVV, or AKT, would be subject to CGT.

Furthermore, AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) supervises digital currency exchanges to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. This oversight provides a degree of consumer protection, but individual investors are still responsible for their own due diligence in understanding the risks associated with highly volatile assets, especially those tied to emerging tech trends like AI. ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) also monitors the broader financial market for misleading conduct, which is particularly relevant in periods of intense market speculation.

Impact on the AUD market

While the primary drivers of AI crypto prices are global sentiment and technological developments, local Australian market dynamics also play a part. An increase in demand for these tokens globally can impact their AUD pricing on Australian exchanges. As more Australian investors seek exposure to the AI theme, we might see increased trading volumes on local platforms, potentially leading to greater liquidity for these specific tokens in AUD pairs.

However, the AUD market for these niche tokens is generally smaller than major pairs like BTC/AUD or ETH/AUD. This can mean higher volatility and potentially wider bid-ask spreads. Australian dollar strength or weakness against the US dollar can also affect the AUD value of globally priced crypto assets. A stronger AUD would technically make US dollar-priced assets cheaper to acquire and vice-versa. Local news, or even government pronouncements on AI and blockchain, could theoretically influence investor sentiment, though global factors typically hold more sway for these international assets.

Australian exchanges might also look to list more AI-themed tokens as interest grows, increasing accessibility for local investors. However, as these are primarily global assets, their fundamental value and trends will be dictated by broader international market movements and technological advancements within the AI sector, rather than purely local demand.

What to watch next

The imminent IPOs of OpenAI and Anthropic are undoubtedly key events. How these companies perform on the public market could either validate or dampen the current enthusiasm for AI-related assets, including cryptocurrencies. Any significant price movements or investor sentiment shifts following these IPOs could directly influence the trajectory of tokens like NEAR, VVV, and AKT.

Beyond IPOs, investors should closely monitor technological developments within these projects. For instance, continued growth in Near AI's agent marketplace, the effectiveness of Venice Token's burning mechanism, or further adoption of Akash Network's decentralised computing. Concrete developments, partnerships, and expanded utility are generally stronger long-term indicators than speculative hype.

Regulatory clarity surrounding AI and decentralised technologies globally could also play a significant role. Any major policy shifts from jurisdictions like the US or the EU could create either headwinds or tailwinds for the sector. For Australian investors, remaining informed about global AI advancements and regulatory landscapes, alongside understanding local tax obligations, will be critical in navigating this exciting yet volatile market.

Other AI-related projects such as Worldcoin, associated with OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Humanity Protocol, or established players like Bittensor and Render, could also gain traction. These projects offer different facets of AI integration and could present further opportunities as the sector matures. Diligent research and a cautious approach are advised in this rapidly evolving space.