The crypto market is experiencing a new rebound with the launch of the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO), propelling Bittensor's TAO token to a spectacular 10% increase. This event marks a turning point for decentralized AI, attracting the attention of institutional investors.
In brief
- Grayscale launches the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO), providing regulated exposure to the TAO and boosting its credibility with institutional investors.
- The TAO jumped 10% thanks to GTAO and halving, with capitalization exceeding $2.8 billion.
- Bittensor distinguishes itself from Bitcoin by focusing on decentralized AI, a booming sector.
The Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO): an institutional first for decentralized AI
Days after filing a Form S-1 with the SEC for a Bittensor ETF, Grayscale is officially launching the Grayscale Bittensor Trust (GTAO) on the OTC markets on January 6, 2026. Under the ticker GTAO, this product allows investors to gain regulated exposure to the TAO crypto token, without having to directly hold the asset. With 0.0192 TAO per share and an expense ratio of 2.5%, the Trust has a net asset value of $7.96 per share.
This initiative is part of a strategy to attract institutional investors, by offering them a secure and familiar structure, similar to existing Grayscale products such as GBTC. A step that could pave the way for wider adoption of decentralized technologies, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence. For Grayscale, the objective is to democratize access to innovative crypto assets like TAO, while meeting regulatory requirements.
Crypto: 10% increase in Bittensor (TAO) driven by Grayscale
On January 6, 2026, Bittensor’s TAO token recorded an increase of almost 10%surpassing $290, with 24-hour trading volume exceeding $230 million. This performance is largely explained by the announcement of the launch of the GTAO, which stimulated institutional demand. Additionally, the market capitalization of TAO now stands at approximately $2.8 billion with a circulating supply of 9.5 million tokens.
Another key factor in this increase is the Bittensor halving that occurred in December 2025, which halved TAO's daily issuance from 7,200 to 3,600 tokens per day. This reduction in supply reinforced the scarcity of the crypto, a mechanism inspired by bitcoin, and helped support its price. Furthermore, Bittensor's subnets, such as Targon, play a crucial role in generating significant annual revenues, proving the concrete utility of the network.
Bittensor vs Bitcoin: two disruptive crypto models
Bittensor and bitcoin share similarities, such as their halving mechanism to control inflation and create scarcity. However, their ambitions differ radically. Bitcoin is above all a decentralized store of value, while TAO is a utility crypto token at the heart of a collaborative AI ecosystem. In the latter, contributors are rewarded in TAO for their services, such as the calculation or validation of AI models.
As a result, analysts believe that TAO, currently undervalued, could reach $1,000 in the long term. This prospect is attracting more and more investors, who see Bittensor as a promising alternative to centralized AI giants. The combination of the Grayscale effect and halving therefore creates a favorable environment for upside, while strengthening the confidence of market players in the potential of this crypto project.
The launch of GTAO and the 10% increase in TAO confirm the growing interest in AI-related cryptos. However, challenges remain, particularly on the regulatory and technological fronts. A question still arises: will these innovations succeed in prevailing against the traditional giants?
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