Fetch.ai-Ocean Protocol Dispute Could Reshape How Decentralized AI Projects Manage Tokens and Governance Alliances

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October 24, 2025

Humayun Sheikh, CEO of Fetch.ai, publicly offered a $250,000 bounty to anyone who can identify the signatories of OceanDAO’s multisignature (multisig) wallet and reveal their connections to the Ocean Protocol Foundation.

This move escalates an ongoing feud between Fetch.ai and Ocean Protocol, centered on allegations of token mismanagement ahead of their 2024 merger into the Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance.

The alliance, which also included SingularityNET, aimed to consolidate decentralized AI projects under a unified token framework (primarily FET). Ocean Protocol withdrew from the alliance on October 9, 2025, citing unspecified reasons, but Sheikh claims their pre-merger actions amounted to a “rug pull” on FET holders.

Sheikh has accused Ocean Protocol of diverting community funds intended for the alliance, calling it a violation of trust. He has also pledged to fund class-action lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions and urged exchanges like Binance and market makers like GSR to investigate the transactions.

According to on-chain analytics from Bubblemaps, an Ocean Protocol-linked multisig wallet converted approximately 661 million OCEAN tokens minted in 2023 into 286 million FET tokens in July 2025—before the ASI merger fully took effect.

Of these, about 270 million FET valued at roughly $80–120 million at the time were transferred to exchanges: 160 million to Binance and 109 million to GSR Markets. Sheikh alleges these were alliance funds meant for community incentives and data farming, but were instead liquidated without disclosure, harming FET holders.

He described it as “funds intended for the community were diverted.” The conversions and dumps occurred amid the merger process, contributing to a 9% drop in FET’s price to around $0.25 shortly after the allegations surfaced. The ASI Alliance was once valued over $7 billion, but this dispute has strained investor confidence in AI-crypto collaborations.

Ocean Protocol’s Response

Ocean Protocol has denied the allegations as “unfounded claims and harmful rumors,” stating they are preparing a formal legal response while respecting applicable laws. They have not yet detailed the purpose of the transfers (e.g., claiming they were for legitimate incentives), but emphasized compliance with merger terms.

FET has seen volatility, while OCEAN support on Binance ended amid the pressure. The bounty may encourage on-chain sleuths to dig deeper into wallet activities. Undisclosed dump of 286M FET (~$80–120M) from community funds Legitimate conversions; details forthcoming in formal response

Violated trust, harmed FET holders; basis for lawsuits. Withdrew due to internal disagreements; denies wrongdoing. $250K bounty + funded class-actions; calls for exchange probes. Legal response in preparation; claims are “unfounded”.

The public dispute undermines trust in the Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance, which aimed to unify Fetch.ai, Ocean Protocol, and SingularityNET. The accusation of a “rug pull” suggests mismanagement of community funds, potentially deterring investors and developers from similar collaborative projects.

Both Fetch.ai and Ocean Protocol risk reputational harm. Ocean’s withdrawal and alleged token dumps could paint it as untrustworthy, while Fetch.ai’s aggressive response may be seen as divisive or vindictive by some in the community.

The allegations have already contributed to a 9% drop in FET’s price to ~$0.25, reflecting market sensitivity to governance disputes. Further revelations from the bounty could exacerbate volatility in FET and related tokens.

The scandal may dampen enthusiasm for AI-focused crypto projects, which rely on community trust and speculative investment. Investors may hesitate to back similar token-driven alliances, fearing mismanagement.

The focus on Ocean Protocol’s multisig wallet highlights vulnerabilities in decentralized governance. Multisigs, meant to ensure collective control, can obscure accountability if signatories are anonymous or act unilaterally. This could push projects toward stricter transparency protocols.

Sheikh’s call for exchange investigations and class-action lawsuits may invite regulatory scrutiny into token conversions and fund management, especially if the $80–120 million transfer is deemed manipulative or fraudulent.

Developers building on Fetch.ai or Ocean Protocol’s ecosystems may pause or shift focus, uncertain about the platforms’ stability or future funding since community incentives were allegedly misused. Sheikh’s pledge to fund lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions could set a precedent for legal accountability in crypto mergers.

If successful, it might encourage similar actions against other projects with opaque token practices. The $250,000 bounty is a novel approach to crowdsource accountability in crypto. If effective (e.g., identifying wallet signatories), it could inspire other projects to use bounties to resolve disputes, but it also risks escalating conflicts publicly.

GSR’s involvement as a recipient of 109 million FET raises questions about market makers’ roles in handling potentially contentious funds, possibly leading to tighter due diligence. The collapse of the ASI Alliance and Ocean’s exit highlight risks in crypto mergers, particularly around token conversions and fund allocation. Future alliances may face stricter pre-merger agreements or audits.

The dispute underscores the tension between rapid innovation in AI-crypto projects and the need for robust governance. Projects may need to prioritize transparent smart contract mechanisms to prevent similar conflicts. The bounty’s outcome—whether it exposes Ocean’s signatories or backfires on Fetch.ai—will likely influence investor trust, regulatory approaches, and the viability of large-scale crypto collaborations.

Microsoft Revives the Spirit of Clippy with Mico, a Friendly AI Face for Copilot

By

Samuel Nwite

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October 24, 2025

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Microsoft is reintroducing personality into artificial intelligence — literally. At its Copilot fall release event on Thursday, the company unveiled Mico, a new expressive AI avatar designed to personify its Copilot chatbot and make human–AI interaction more natural and engaging.

Mico, short for “Microsoft Copilot,” is being positioned as a warm, friendly, and customizable digital companion that can listen, react, and even change colors in response to user interactions. It’s Microsoft’s boldest step yet in giving its AI platform a recognizable identity — and one that deliberately echoes the company’s iconic (and infamous) assistant from the late 1990s, Clippy.

The resemblance is not accidental. Microsoft has included an Easter egg in Mico: if users tap on the avatar several times, it morphs into Clippy, the paperclip character once embedded in Microsoft Office. It’s a nostalgic nod to a piece of tech culture that became both beloved and ridiculed, now reborn in a vastly more sophisticated form.

A Modern, Animated AI Presence

Mico is integrated into Copilot’s voice mode, where it serves as a responsive visual element during spoken interactions. The feature, enabled by default, gives users a sense of “talking to” the AI rather than typing commands into an abstract interface.

Initially, the feature is available in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., with plans for a global rollout later. Users can disable Mico if they prefer a minimal experience.

The company says Mico will be able to retain memories of previous conversations, learn from user feedback, and evolve with continued use. This memory capability extends Microsoft’s vision of Copilot as an assistant that “knows” its user — tracking preferences, goals, and communication styles — while still allowing users full control over what’s remembered or deleted.

From Clippy to Copilot

For many, Mico’s debut signals a cultural full circle for Microsoft. Clippy, introduced in 1996, was designed to help users navigate Microsoft Office programs but quickly became a symbol of intrusive and often unhelpful digital assistants. Now, with Copilot’s advanced natural language capabilities and contextual awareness, Microsoft believes it can finally realize what Clippy was meant to be: a genuinely helpful, conversational digital partner.

“As we build this, we’re not chasing engagement or optimizing for screen time,” said Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, in a blog post announcing the update. “We’re building AI that gets you back to your life. That deepens human connection. That earns your trust.”

“Real Talk” and a More Human Copilot

Alongside Mico, Microsoft also introduced “Real Talk,” a new conversational mode for Copilot designed to make interactions more grounded and less artificial. In this mode, Copilot mirrors the user’s tone and communication style, aiming for dialogue that feels authentic without being overly agreeable.

Rather than functioning as a purely compliant assistant, Copilot under Real Talk can push back, question assumptions, and challenge users’ perspectives — a move Microsoft says will encourage critical thinking and healthier digital engagement.

The shift comes amid broader industry debates about AI “psychosis” and user dependency, where overly sympathetic chatbots have reinforced delusional beliefs or emotional attachment. Microsoft’s approach suggests it wants Copilot to feel relatable, but not manipulative — personable, but with boundaries.

Copilot as a Learning Companion

Microsoft also rolled out a new “Learn Live” mode for U.S. users, which allows Copilot to serve as an interactive tutor. Instead of simply providing answers, the AI will guide users through concepts step-by-step, making it more useful for learning and professional development.

The company also said it has improved Copilot’s ability to handle health-related queries and complex research tasks, signaling its ambitions to make the assistant reliable for deeper, context-rich applications beyond simple search or productivity tasks.

Expanding Across Microsoft’s Ecosystem

The Copilot fall update was about more than personality. Microsoft also introduced social and collaborative features, allowing users to bring friends into AI chats. Copilot now supports long-term memory, connectors for syncing with productivity tools like email and cloud storage, and enhanced integrations across the Microsoft suite.

Perhaps most notably, Microsoft previewed new AI capabilities for its Edge browser, which will allow Edge to “see” tabs, summarize and compare content, and perform actions such as booking hotels or filling out forms. The goal is to make Edge a true “AI browser” — competing directly with ChatGPT’s Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, Dia, and even Google Chrome, which recently integrated its own Gemini AI.

The Broader AI Character Race

Mico joins a growing trend among tech giants to anthropomorphize AI. OpenAI’s ChatGPT now includes expressive voices and on-screen avatars, while xAI’s Grok, created by Elon Musk, has taken a more rebellious and provocative approach to personality-driven assistants.

Across app stores, “AI companion” apps — which range from emotional support bots to virtual friends — are already drawing millions of users, revealing a strong consumer appetite for AI with a face and voice. Microsoft’s introduction of Mico appears to be a bid to tap into that market while maintaining its enterprise-grade credibility.

A Friendly Blob with a Serious Mission

Still, it remains to be seen how users will react to Mico’s floating blob design — a visual that departs from human likeness in favor of a colorful, shape-shifting form. Microsoft says the simplicity is intentional, designed to be non-intrusive and universally appealing.

But if the nostalgic Easter egg is any indication, Microsoft knows what it’s doing: Mico’s transformation into Clippy is both a wink at the past and a signal that the company is comfortable blending nostalgia, humor, and advanced AI in ways that humanize its technology.

In essence, Microsoft’s Mico is not just a reimagined Clippy — it’s the embodiment of a new philosophy in AI design: one that seeks to make artificial intelligence trustworthy, emotionally intelligent, and deeply personal.

AI Reveals the Best Crypto to Buy Now: The Answer Isn’t Bitcoin or Ethereum

By

TI Partners

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October 24, 2025

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Crypto traders are still trying to recover from the October crashes. Prices are sluggish, momentum is weak, and traders seem unsure which direction the next move will take.

Bitcoin remains trapped below its recent highs, and Ethereum’s attempt to regain strength above $4,000 has failed once again.

So when asked which crypto offers the best upside potential right now, AI pointed away from the usual names. GPT’s top pick wasn’t Bitcoin or Ethereum—it was Digitap ($TAP), a rapidly growing omni-bank project that aims to change how digital assets connect with real-world payments.

Alongside Digitap, GPT also mentioned Bittensor ($TAO) and Hyperliquid ($HYPE) as strong cryptos to buy heading into 2026.

1. Digitap: Best Altcoin to Buy Now

At the top of the list is Digitap—the project GPT identified as the most promising crypto to buy right now. Unlike most presales that exist only on paper, Digitap already has a live app, a fully integrated Visa-linked debit card, and support for Apple Pay and Google Pay.

This means Digitap is one of the most complete bridges between crypto and traditional finance.

Digitap allows users to buy, hold, stake, and spend crypto directly, functioning as a true omni-bank for the digital age. With global payments, instant transactions, and fiat conversion all built in, Digitap eliminates the need for multiple platforms.

The project’s transparency is another major reason GPT ranked it first. TAP has a hard-capped supply of 2 billion tokens, with no further minting ever allowed. Staking rewards are equally impressive: 124% APR during presale and 100% after launch, supported by a buyback-and-burn model that ensures scarcity over time.

Presale is accelerating fast. Digitap has already raised nearly $1 million, with more than 68 million TAP tokens sold, and the current presale price of $0.0194 USDT is set to jump to $0.0268 USDT within days (a 40% increase). With the listing price confirmed at $0.10, early participants could see up to 7x upside before the project even hits exchanges.

As GPT concluded, Digitap stands out for combining real-world functionality, a live ecosystem, and strong tokenomics—all elements that most new tokens lack.

USE THE CODE “LIVEAPP30” FOR 30% OFF FIRST-TIME PURCHASES

2. Bittensor ($TAO): The AI Network Entering Its Halving Era

Bittensor has consistently been one of the most discussed crypto projects in 2025, and GPT highlighted it as a close second pick. The reason is simple: TAO’s first-ever halving event is expected in December 2025, reducing daily emissions from 7,200 to 3,600 tokens.

This move will effectively cut TAO’s annual inflation from about 8.6% to 4.3%, strengthening its store-of-value narrative and reducing selling pressure among miners. Historically, Bitcoin’s halving events have triggered major uptrends, and TAO could follow a similar path.

Source: CoinMarketCap/Bittensor

Trading below $400 at press time, GPT’s analysis points to $700 as a realistic pre-halving target, assuming network demand and subnet adoption remain strong.

For investors looking for deflationary assets tied to real AI infrastructure, GPT placed TAO firmly in the “accumulate before the halving” category.

3. Hyperliquid ($HYPE): Institutional Demand and a $1B Public Offering

Rounding out the AI’s top three picks is Hyperliquid ($HYPE) — the decentralized perpetual exchange project that’s now catching serious attention from Wall Street. According to a recent SEC filing, Hyperliquid Strategies Inc. (HSI) has submitted a Form S-1 registration statement to raise up to $1 billion through a 160 million-share public offering.

What’s more interesting is that part of the raised capital will go directly into purchasing and staking HYPE tokens. This marks one of the first times a U.S.-registered entity has publicly planned to hold and stake a DeFi token as part of its treasury strategy — similar to how MicroStrategy uses Bitcoin.

The filing, led by CEO David Schamis, lists the company’s New York headquarters at 477 Madison Avenue, and confirms that HSI will merge with SPAC Rorschach I LLC and Sonnet BioTherapeutics. While some dilution risk exists, the move signals unprecedented institutional confidence in Hyperliquid’s ecosystem.

Source: CoinMarketCap/Hyperliquid

Currently trading below $40, GPT projects $100 as a potential year-end target, especially if the public offering succeeds and institutional participation expands.

What’s the Best Crypto to Buy Now?

According to GPT’s analysis, Digitap leads the pack. The reasoning is clear: it’s a functioning omni-bank platform already connected to Visa and Apple Pay, backed by transparent tokenomics and a live staking system.

Even though TAO and HYPE have strong catalysts on the horizon, Digitap offers something both unique and immediate: a working product, a clear roadmap, and a presale about to cross $1 million raised. With the price set to climb from $0.0194 to $0.0268 USDT in just days, and a $0.10 listing price waiting ahead, GPT’s conclusion was simple:

Digitap is the best crypto to buy now. The clock is ticking, and those who wait may soon miss the next 7x opportunity.

Digitap is Live NOW. Learn more about their project here:

Presale: https://presale.Digitap.app

Website: https://digitap.app/

Social: https://linktr.ee/Digitap.app

LILPEPE Crypto 2025 Price Target & How to Buy Little Pepe: Machine Learning Model Predicts 8,000% Rally

By

TI Partners

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October 24, 2025

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Little Pepe (LILPEPE) is no longer just another meme coin. It’s fast becoming one of the top cryptos to buy as analysts and AI-based models project an 8,000% surge in 2025. With its explosive presale, strong community, and unique zero-tax blockchain model, LILPEPE is quickly shaping up as the next big frog ready to leap past the meme crowd.

What Makes Little Pepe Different From Other Meme Coins

Little Pepe is a meme-driven yet utility-backed token redefining meme coin operations. Unlike typical hype coins, it’s built on a fast, low-cost layer chain with zero buy/sell tax and near-zero trading fees, making it investor and trader-friendly.

The project introduces several features that set it apart:

Sniper bots-resistant Layer 2 chain, ensuring fair and transparent trading
High-yield staking for long-term holders
A Meme Launchpad, allowing creators to launch new meme projects easily
Strict vesting schedule, protecting the price from early dumps

While most meme tokens rely purely on hype, Little Pepe combines fun, speed, and actual blockchain efficiency, giving it both meme power and tech credibility.

Presale Momentum: $27.1 Million Raised and Counting

Little Pepe’s presale has turned heads across the crypto market. It has seen over $27.1 million within a few months of launch. With Stage 13 almost completed at $0.0022 per token, early investors are sitting on up to 120% unrealized profits.

The presale has seen surging investor demand, fueled by viral attention and solid fundamentals. Its growing community across Telegram and X has made it one of the fastest-selling meme coins of 2025.

Adding to the excitement, the team recently launched the Little Pepe Mega Giveaway for Stage 12–17 buyers:

1st Buyer: 5 ETH
2nd Buyer: 3 ETH
3rd Buyer: 2 ETH
15 Random Winners: 0.5 ETH each

With over 15 ETH in prizes plus entry into a $777,000 global giveaway, the presale is more than a fundraising round; it’s a movement.

LILPEPE 2025 Price Target: ML Predicts 8,000% Growth on the Horizon

According to a recent machine learning-based price model, Little Pepe could deliver up to 8,000% gains by 2025, driven by its strong utility base and early community traction.

Analysts estimate that if LILPEPE lists a conservative market cap of $100 million post-presale, its value could quickly climb toward the $2 billion range, giving early investors potential 80x returns.

Here’s what drives the model’s bullish forecast:

Rapid community expansion similar to early PEPE and SHIB phases
Scarcity-driven tokenomics via vesting and staking
Meme Launchpad and staking adoption are boosting demand
Anticipated CEX listings in 2025 Q1

If momentum continues, a $1,000 investment at the current presale stage could soar to over $80,000 next year, a number that places Little Pepe among the most explosive meme coins of the upcoming bull run.

Why Investors Are Backing Little Pepe

Little Pepe’s rise isn’t just about speculation. It’s about structure and sustainability. The token blends community-driven growth with technical reliability, which is rare in meme coin history.

Here’s why investors are bullish:

Transparent team with verified smart contracts
CertiK audit, strengthening trust and safety
High-staking APYs, giving passive income potential
Strong brand presence, with ongoing viral campaigns on X and Telegram

Its tokenomics ensure that both whales and small buyers have equal opportunities. Add the zero-tax model, and you get a token perfectly optimized for liquidity and volume, fueling massive growth during bull cycles.

Making A Smart Investor Move This Cycle

Little Pepe’s combination of humor, tech, and tokenomics makes it more than another meme coin. It’s a full-fledged ecosystem with real market potential. With a projected 8,000% upside, rapid presale growth, and one of the most vibrant communities in the space, LILPEPE could be the frog that defines 2025’s meme coin boom.

For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:

Website: https://littlepepe.com

Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf

Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken

Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken

$777k Giveaway: https://littlepepe.com/777k-giveaway/

Kalshi’s Valuation Surges From $5B to Potential $12B in Weeks

By

Paul Ugbede Godwin

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October 24, 2025

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Based on a Bloomberg report, U.S.-regulated prediction market platform Kalshi is indeed fielding new investment offers from venture capital firms, with proposed valuations reaching as high as $12 billion—or potentially even higher—according to sources familiar with the discussions.

This comes just weeks after the company closed a $300 million funding round on October 10, 2025, at a $5 billion valuation, co-led by Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital.

The rapid interest highlights explosive growth in the prediction markets sector, fueled by regulatory wins and expanding use cases. Kalshi, founded in 2018, operates under a federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) license, allowing users to trade contracts on real-world events like elections, economic data releases, sports outcomes, and more.

In June 2025, Kalshi raised $185 million at a $2 billion valuation, led by Paradigm. A landmark court victory in late 2024 enabled election-related contracts, boosting trading volumes to an annualized $50 billion as stated by co-founder and CEO Tarek Mansour.

In August, Robinhood integrated Kalshi for football prediction markets. This week (October 2025), the National Hockey League (NHL) announced multi-year deals with Kalshi and rival Polymarket—the first major U.S. sports league to officially partner with prediction platforms.

Discussions with VCs have floated valuations between $10 billion and $12 billion, reflecting bets on Kalshi’s scalability in a “crowded and fast-moving space.” One source noted the new capital could “strengthen Kalshi’s position” amid competition.

This isn’t isolated—prediction markets are in a valuation arms race: Rival Polymarket: Reportedly in talks for up to $2 billion from Intercontinental Exchange at a $9 billion post-money valuation, up from $1 billion earlier in 2025.

Sports wagering alone is a multibillion-dollar industry, and regulated platforms like Kalshi are positioning for mainstream adoption via broker integrations and media rights. Overall, this signals maturing investor confidence in event-trading venues, though sustainability will depend on user retention and regulatory stability.

If deals close, it could reset benchmarks for fintech and crypto-adjacent startups. Kalshi’s rapid valuation jump from $5 billion to a potential $12 billion in weeks carries significant implications across financial markets, regulation, competition, and broader adoption of prediction markets.

The high valuation reflects growing investor confidence in prediction markets as a legitimate asset class, moving beyond niche crypto or gambling comparisons. Partnerships with major players like Robinhood and the NHL underscore this shift.

With Kalshi’s annualized trading volume at $50 billion and sports wagering already a massive industry, investors see prediction markets tapping into multibillion-dollar opportunities, potentially rivaling traditional betting or derivatives markets.

Polymarket’s parallel talks at a $9 billion valuation suggest a race for dominance. Kalshi’s CFTC license gives it a regulatory edge in the U.S., but Polymarket’s global reach and looser oversight creates a fragmented competitive landscape.

High valuations could trigger consolidation. Intercontinental Exchange’s interest in Polymarket and Kalshi’s VC talks hint at larger players (e.g., exchanges or fintech giants) eyeing acquisitions to control this emerging market.

Kalshi’s 2024 court win enabling election contracts sets a precedent, but rapid growth may invite scrutiny from the CFTC or SEC, especially if retail investor losses mount or markets are manipulated.

Global Ripple Effects: U.S. regulatory clarity could pressure other jurisdictions to define rules for prediction markets, potentially unlocking new markets or stifling innovation if regulations tighten.

The leap from $5 billion to $12 billion in weeks suggests speculative fervor, reminiscent of 2021 crypto or tech bubbles. If growth falters, valuations could face downward pressure, impacting investor confidence.

New funding could fuel Kalshi’s expansion (e.g., new contract types, international markets, or tech upgrades), but it also raises expectations for profitability and user growth in a crowded field.

Partnerships with Robinhood and the NHL signal prediction markets moving into everyday finance and entertainment. This could drive retail adoption, especially if integrated into popular trading apps or sports platforms.

Prediction markets’ ability to aggregate crowd wisdom could attract institutional users like hedge funds or pollsters, creating new revenue streams. High valuations assume sustained user growth and trading volume, but competition, regulatory shifts, or market saturation could undermine this.

Rapid growth demands robust infrastructure to handle trading volumes, prevent outages, and ensure compliance, all of which require significant investment. A $12 billion valuation would set a new bar for fintech startups, potentially spurring investment in adjacent sectors like DeFi or blockchain-based betting platforms.

While Kalshi operates in fiat, its success could bolster crypto-native platforms like Polymarket, driving hybrid models that blend regulated and decentralized approaches. Kalshi’s valuation surge signals a transformative moment for prediction markets, with implications for competition, regulation, and mainstream adoption.

However, the lofty $12 billion figure carries risks of overvaluation and regulatory backlash. If Kalshi capitalizes on its regulatory edge and partnerships, it could redefine event-based trading; if not, it risks becoming a cautionary tale of hype outpacing fundamentals.