What is DeFAI?

 The combination of decentralized finance (DeFi) and artificial intelligence (AI) has given rise to a new trend in the crypto space called DeFAI . As the name suggests, DeFAI focuses on using AI agents to ease the onboarding process of decentralized applications (dApps), as these applications can often become more complex than useful.  

The combination of AI and DeFi is gaining momentum in the crypto space as AI agents can make interactions on the blockchain more accessible to cryptocurrency novices. These agents can manage every step from token transfers to swaps. For more complex transactions, they can take on tasks such as determining secure bridge protocols, optimizing the best swap routes, and creating a liquidity pool on a lending platform.

This could, at least in theory, reduce the stress and burden typically associated with complex DeFi transactions.

However, DeFAI is still in its early stages and most of these projects are clearly experimental. Nevertheless, this new narrative has become one of the most popular trends in the crypto space. Market analysts and researchers believe that DeFAI could generate billions of dollars in capital flow into the ecosystem.

Now, let's explore what DeFAI is, how it works, and the leading projects.

What is DeFAI?

DeFAI, also known as AiFi or AgentFi, is a space that is considered one of the fastest growing crypto ecosystems. An interesting detail: according to CoinGecko data, the DeFAI market has already exceeded one billion dollars.

Many projects are redefining user interaction and efficiency in DeFi by leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and AI-powered automation technologies.

So, what is DeFAI’s value proposition and what does its brief look like? Using DeFi today often requires switching between different applications, connecting wallets, and manually entering all the necessary details for each transaction. No matter how innovative, the DeFi user experience is often poor because it is complex and error-prone.

DeFAI replaces this with simple commands. When users give directives like “Convert 3 ETH to USDC” or “Invest in a liquidity pool,” the AI ​​agent automatically handles all the details by determining the best odds or options. All users have to do is confirm the final transaction, making DeFi as easy as sending a message.

Think of it like having ChatGPT for crypto. Users tell a smart assistant to complete a complex task and the AI ​​agent automatically performs the following steps:

• Selects the best tools for each process step.
• It creates a safe and cost-effective process.
• It delivers results directly to the user's wallet.

DeFAI makes DeFi more accessible, making it easy for even beginners. It manages the difficult steps, helps users avoid costly mistakes, and saves time. With tools like simple commands, smart assistants, and instant research, the complexity of decentralized finance can be eliminated, allowing more people to participate in the space.

Below you can find some of the best DeFAI projects that are currently popular in the crypto community.

Leading DeFAI Projects of 2025

Griffain (GRIFFAIN)

Griffain is a DeFAI project built on the Solana blockchain. The project is led by veteran developer Tony Plasencia, known for projects like Backan Underdog and Blink.fun.

Griffin offers a variety of AI agents to facilitate users’ decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions. These agents fall into two main categories:

• Personal agents: AI models that can be customized to users' needs and are capable of searching for data, completing common tasks, and interacting with blockchain applications.
• Special agents: They have more advanced capabilities and can undertake tasks such as analyzing crypto market trends, creating in-depth reports, presenting news, and simulating complex conversations in different languages.

What all agents have in common is that they can perform on-chain operations using natural language commands. For example, they can perform tasks such as executing copy trading, creating a memecoin from scratch, automating take-profit strategies, or working as a personal virtual assistant. Griffin stands out as one of the first platforms to simplify DeFi operations with natural language.

FOOD

PAAL AI is an Ethereum-based DeFAI platform that offers advanced AI-powered features. AI-powered chatbots and assistants are at the core of this ecosystem.

• MyPaalBot: It is an AI model that works as a personal assistant to the user. It can act as a chatbot, moderator, researcher, or even community manager.
• AutoPaal: An advanced analytics tool that helps users make more informed decisions by providing market insight and predictions on crypto projects and assets.
• PaalX: A decentralized trading feature that allows users to swap tokens, manage wallets, and view portfolios without leaving the chat interface.

One of the key advantages of PAAL AI is the ability for users to train AI agents with their own datasets. It also has the capacity to process multiple media (multimodal) including text, images, audio and video. This enables a wider range of usage and improves the user experience.

Hey Anon

Hey Anon (ANON) is a multi-chain DeFAI project running on Sonic, Solana, Base, and Arbitrum. It aims to make DeFi transactions easier for users by providing natural language-based transaction interfaces, autonomous DeFi agents, and research tools.

The project has attracted a lot of attention due to its founder, Daniele Sesta, who is one of the names that led the creation of the multi-billion dollar Spell and Wonderland protocols in the past.

Hey Anon is backed by a $20 million AI Agent Fund from DWFlabs and plans to launch its public beta by the end of January. While details of the project are not yet clear, its goals include facilitating cross-chain transactions using LayerZero technology, providing accurate price data with Pyth Network, and supporting lending protocols like Aave. According to CoinGecko, Hey Anon is the third-largest DeFAI project with a market cap of over $180 million.

AI16Z

AI16Z describes itself as “the first investment DAO run by AI agents.” This project combines AI with decentralized governance to enable autonomous investment decisions. The entire process is run by an AI agent named Marc AIndressen.

Marc manages a $28 million asset pool as the central intelligence unit of the AI16Z ecosystem. This agent shapes investment decisions by evaluating data-driven analysis and feedback from token holders. Users with a large stake in the AI16Z token can directly influence the AI’s decisions through a mechanism called the “Virtual Trust Market.”

At the core of AI16Z is ElizaOS, a framework that allows AI agents to be customized for specific tasks. ElizaOS has become one of the fastest growing projects on GitHub, leaving giants like Google Gemini behind.

The team is also considering developing an AI agent creation platform using AI16Z. The fact that it is the first AI token on the Solana network to reach a market value of $2 billion is increasing interest in this project.

Mode Network

Mode Network is integrating AI-powered automation into the Ethereum Layer-2 (L2) ecosystem. Around 129 AI agents have processed over 1,600 DeFi transactions in total.

Some of the featured agents include:

• Arma by Giza: Optimizes USDC earnings farming.
• Brian: Natural language transaction execution and smart contract deployment.
• Sturdy: Optimizes by managing AI-powered efficiency checkouts.
• MODIUS by Olas: Supports the creation of liquidity farming strategies with AI agents.
• Amplifi: Offers cross-chain liquidity provisioning and AI optimization.

Orbit (GRIFT)

Orbit enables protocols to interact across 100+ blockchains. It can work with EVM-compatible networks, Solana, Aptos, Sui Network, and even Bitcoin.

Orbit, developed by SphereOne, raised $2.5 million in 2023. AI agents can manage critical financial processes on behalf of the user, such as token swaps and bridging, asset staking, loan processing, and portfolio management.

Measure

Neur is an AI-powered DeFi utility focused on the Solana ecosystem. It analyzes data on Solana and performs automated operations by leveraging cutting-edge AI models such as Claude 3.5-Sonnet and GPT-4o.

Despite being in beta, it has attracted attention by collecting over 350 stars on GitHub. It also provides incentives to developers by offering early access for 1 SOL.

Autonola (OLAS)

Autonolas is an AI and crypto platform founded in 2021. Its goal is to help people manage their financial processes by decentralizing AI agents.

Autonolas offers AI agents for tasks such as portfolio management, DAO governance, cross-chain transactions, and automated payment systems. Olas Stack and Olas Protocol enable the creation and management of AI agents.

Gekko AI

Gekko AI is an AI trading platform developed by Axal and built on the Virtuals protocol. It aims to optimize crypto trading strategies through AI-powered automation, transparency, and analytical tools.

The AI-based trading system analyzes market trends 24/7 and automatically executes trades. Users also have the ability to create customized trading agents based on their risk preferences.

Final Thoughts: Leading DeFAI Projects for 2025

The combination of DeFi and AI could become a new catalyst that could transform the decentralized finance ecosystem. The rise of AI agents could usher in a major shift in the crypto industry by facilitating traditionally complex on-chain transactions.

The main goal of DeFAI is simple: reduce the steep learning curve of DeFi with AI agents. Whether it’s automating workflows, optimizing processes, or enabling interactions with natural language, just like ChatGPT did, this innovation could completely change how users interact with the blockchain and DeFi world.

However, the industry is still relatively young and most projects are far from delivering a finished or fully launched product. Nevertheless, the ecosystem is growing rapidly and many market analysts predict significant expansion in the coming years.