Abstract

In 2026, the deep integration of AI, robotics and Web3 infrastructure is giving birth to a new narrative - the Web3 Robots track. This track no longer remains in conceptual hype, but has entered a critical stage of real-world application implementation. This research report systematically sorts out the definition boundaries and development logic of the Web3 Robots track, and provides an in-depth analysis of the technical architecture, financing background, market performance and participation opportunities of representative projects such as OpenMind, PrismaX, peaq, Virtuals Protocol, Geodnet, and XMAQUINA from three dimensions: infrastructure layer (operating system, data layer, network layer), machine economic layer (tokenization platform, positioning network) and application landing layer (DePIN investment). Research has found that the track is forming a three-layer collaborative architecture of "data layer training intelligence - system layer unified standards - network layer motivating collaboration". Machines are transforming from closed tools into autonomous economic entities with on-chain identities, payment capabilities and collaborative networks. Although it is still in the early stages of focusing on underlying capacity building, the emergence of real profit cases (such as the 18% APY of the peaq ecological robot farm) marks that the track has moved from a concept to a substantial development stage that is observable and participatory. For investors, paying attention to the project’s actual deployment scale, commercial closed-loop capabilities, and institutional endorsement quality will be the key to capturing the next 100-fold opportunity.

1. Track definition and evolution logic: from automation tools to on-chain economic entities

Robotics technology is not new. In the past decade, automation equipment such as industrial robotic arms, warehousing robots, and drones have been deployed on a large scale in manufacturing, logistics and other fields. However, these robots are still essentially tools within a closed system—they execute preset instructions but lack the capabilities for identity recognition, autonomous decision-making, value exchange, and cross-platform collaboration. As AI large models give machines the ability to "think", and blockchain technology provides identity and settlement infrastructure, a new paradigm is taking shape: machines are no longer pure hardware, but autonomous economic entities that can have on-chain identities, complete transactions autonomously, and participate in real-world production.

The core driving force of this transformation comes from three levels of technological maturity. First, the breakthrough of embodied intelligence (Embodied AI). Large language models and multi-modal models enable robots to have natural language understanding, environment perception and task planning capabilities. For example, OpenMind's OM1 operating system integrates perception, memory, reasoning and action into a unified framework, allowing robots to evolve from "able to move" to "able to understand and think." Second, the rise of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). Blockchain provides identity authentication (DID), trusted data recording and automated settlement capabilities for physical devices, allowing machines to participate in market transactions as economic entities. Third, the maturity of stablecoins and Layer 2. Efficient micropayment infrastructure makes high-frequency small-amount settlements between machines possible, laying the financial foundation for the Machine Economy.

Forbes pointed out in its 2026 forecast that blockchain will become a trust network for AI, and every important agent behavior will be written into a lightweight ledger to achieve compliance, governance and accountability. This means that the Web3 Robots track is essentially building a new economic system that allows machines to prove themselves, trust others, create value and participate in distribution. This system consists of a three-layer architecture: the bottom layer is the operating system that gives machine intelligence (such as OpenMind OM1), the middle layer is the protocol layer that provides identity and collaboration networks (such as OpenMind FABRIC, peaq), and the upper layer is the labor market and tokenization platform oriented to application scenarios (such as Konnex, Virtuals). The collaboration of the three-tier architecture is reshaping robots from “tools” to “digital citizens”.

2. Infrastructure layer: co-evolution of operating system, data and network

The construction of the underlying infrastructure of the Web3 Robots track is advancing simultaneously in multiple dimensions, the most representative of which are OpenMind’s layout at the operating system layer, PrismaX’s exploration at the data layer, and peaq’s construction at the network layer. These three projects happen to form a complete infrastructure closed loop of "system-data-network", providing an operational foundation for upper-layer applications.

OpenMind is known as "Android in the field of robotics". OpenMind's core products include the open source AI-native robot operating system OM1 and the decentralized collaboration network FABRIC. OM1 adopts the MIT license and has received more than 2,500 stars on GitHub, attracting more than 500 global contributors and more than 7,500 independent developers. Unlike traditional robot operating systems (ROS) that only focus on motion control and navigation, OM1 integrates four major modules: perception, memory, reasoning and action, and supports advanced functions such as natural language interaction, environment mapping, and item recognition. At present, OM1 has been adapted to more than 10 head hardware manufacturers such as Unitree, Fourier, UBTECH, and Deep Robotics, covering various forms such as humanoid robots, quadruped robots, and robotic arms. The FABRIC protocol builds a decentralized machine collaboration network, assigns an on-chain identity (peaq ID) to each robot, and supports skill sharing, task coordination and USDC micropayment settlement between machines. In February 2026, FABRIC Protocol (ROBO) was launched on Binance Alpha and Binance Futures, with a 24-hour trading volume exceeding US$140 million, and it has been successively listed on mainstream exchanges such as OKX, Coinbase, and Kraken. The project completed approximately US$20 million in financing in August 2025, led by Pantera Capital, with participation from top institutions such as Coinbase Ventures, DCG, and Sequoia China. The latest round of valuation is approximately US$200 million, and Kaito Launchpad’s pre-sale valuation reaches US$400 million FDV. Current participation points include the Season 1 points program, FABRIC Identity Network’s NFT casting, and GitHub code contributions, and airdrop expectations are strong.

PrismaX is known as the "gold mine" of training data in the physical world. If the algorithm is the "brain" of the robot, data is the nourishment of the "brain". PrismaX is positioned at the AI ​​robot data layer and solves the most scarce "physical world interaction data" problem in robot training through human-machine collaboration (RLHF) mode. Its platform allows users to remotely control real robotic arms to complete actions through web pages. The system records operation data and sells it to robotics companies for AI training. Users receive points to exchange for future tokens. This "Play-to-Train" model forms a data flywheel: more users bring more data, more data trains better models, and better models attract more users to join. PrismaX recently completed a US$11 million seed round of financing, led by top venture capital a16z, with participation from Virtuals Protocol. Currently, more than 500 participants in the ecosystem have completed remote robotic arm operations, and two complete sets of operable robotic arm systems (Unitech Walker “Tommy” and “Bill”) have been launched. Users can earn points through daily check-ins, white paper quizzes and even paid training ($99), and the market expects airdrop distribution in the future. The risk is that the influx of a large number of "hair-raising studios" may dilute the value of points, and whether remote operation data can truly train commercial-grade robots is still controversial in the industry.

peaq is a machine-economic Layer-1 network. peaq is a Layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for the machine economy. Its core functions include machine identities (peaq IDs), on-chain wallets, access control and nanosecond-level time synchronization, supporting autonomous transactions on millions of robots and devices. Unlike many DePIN projects that remain in the conceptual stage, peaq has already gone through the real business closed loop. The Hong Kong Robo-farm within its ecosystem uses automated robots to grow hydroponic vegetables. Users purchase NFTs representing farm shares. The income generated by the farm’s sales of vegetables is converted into stable coins and distributed directly to NFT holders on the chain. The first income distribution at the end of January 2026 showed that the single income reached 3820 USDT, with an annualized income of approximately 18%. This model of "not relying on token inflation, but making money by selling vegetables" makes peaq a typical case of the implementation of RWA (real world assets). In terms of partners, peaq has launched technical verification cooperation with industrial giants such as Bosch, Mastercard, and Airbus, covering areas such as IoT sensors, payment gateway integration, and supply chain tracking. The mainnet has been launched in 2024. The current circulating market value is about US$34.25 million, and the FDV is about US$78 million. There are already 50-60 DePIN applications running in the ecosystem, connecting more than 2 million physical devices. The token $PEAQ is mainly used for gas and staking. The "Get Real" activity continues, with a reward pool of 210 million $PEAQ (worth over $100 million). Users can earn XP/NP and receive tokens by completing real-world DePIN tasks.

The relationship between the three is like a complete production system: PrismaX provides data "raw materials" to train robots, OpenMind's OM1 provides the "operating system" for robots to run intelligently, and peaq provides the "network and incentive layer" for robots to complete economic settlements. The three collaborate to form a complete infrastructure stack for decentralized embodied intelligence.

3. The financial layer of the machine economy: tokenization platform and positioning network

After the infrastructure layer solves the problems of "how machines become smart" and "how machines collaborate", the financial layer of the machine economy begins to emerge. The core problem solved at this layer is: How to let the value of the machine be priced, traded and circulated? Virtuals Protocol and Geodnet gave answers from different angles.

Virtuals Protocol is a tokenization platform for AI agents/robots that allows the community to participate in the issuance, staking and governance of agents. Its core mechanisms include Pegasus/Unicorn ecology, ACP (Agent Commerce Protocol) market and Butler tool. The ACP market allows trustless commercial transactions between AI agents and supports the entire process of task release, verification and settlement on-chain. In March 2026, Virtuals and the Ethereum Foundation dAI team jointly developed the ERC-8183 standard (Agentic Commerce), introducing working primitives with on-chain custody, evaluator certification, and modular hooks, enabling trustless commercial transactions between agents. Data shows that on-chain revenue among agents on Virtuals has exceeded US$3 million (excluding transaction fees), which marks that the verifiable economic output created entirely by AI agents has reached scale. The token $VIRTUAL will be launched at the end of 2023, with a current market value of approximately US$500 million, and has been listed on mainstream CEXs such as Gate.io. The weekly Epoch airdrop system is active, and rewards are distributed based on veVIRTUAL staking and Butler usage, with 2% going to stakers and 3% to ecological participants. In early 2026, Virtuals also reached a cooperation with OpenMind's FABRIC protocol. After the robot obtains an economic identity through FABRIC, it can receive tasks from the agent through ACP and perform on-chain settlement, achieving a deep integration of the machine economic layer and the infrastructure layer.

Geodnet is known as centimeter-level navigation infrastructure for robots. Geodnet is a decentralized high-precision positioning network built on Solana, providing RTK (real-time dynamic differential) centimeter-level navigation services for robots, drones and autonomous driving. Its network consists of globally distributed reference stations, with node operators earning $GEOD tokens by deploying hardware and users consuming location data through a subscription service. Geodnet's business model has typical "real income" characteristics: 80% of data revenue is used for the repurchase and destruction of $GEOD, forming a deflation mechanism. At the CES exhibition in January 2026, Geodnet demonstrated the Geoswarm home security drone, which can automatically take off from a compact docking station on the roof of a home, use GEODNET's high-precision positioning data to complete patrols and then automatically return and land without manual intervention. Additionally, Geodnet launched consumer-focused in-vehicle RTK hardware ($150) and RTK measurement receiver ($695), the latter of which received a CES Innovation Award. Geodnet has raised more than $15 million in total funding, including rounds led by Multicoin Capital. The token has been migrated from Polygon to Solana and is now tradable on Coinbase. For investors, Geodnet’s repurchase and destruction mechanism and real hardware sales constitute value support. It is worth noting that its node deployment revenue and staking reward mechanism are still actively running.

From the perspective of the financial layer, Virtuals Protocol solves the "liquidity" problem of AI agents - allowing the agent's capabilities to be tokenized, traded and priced; Geodnet solves the "spatial perception" problem of robots - allowing machines to accurately position and navigate in the physical world. The two jointly expand the boundaries of the machine economy: the former allows the value of machines to circulate in the digital world, and the latter makes the activities of machines in the physical world more accurate and reliable.

4. Application Layer: From DePIN Investment to Real-World Assets

The infrastructure layer and financial layer constitute the "skeleton" and "blood" of the Web3 Robots track, but what truly determines the track's vitality is whether the application landing layer can create value in the real world. XMAQUINA and Robonomics explore this proposition from different dimensions.

XMAQUINA is a DAO-governed robot investment bank. XMAQUINA is a DePIN project that invests in and tokenizes real humanoid robot companies through DAO governance, allowing token holders to share the profits of the robot company. Its core mechanisms include Robotics Bank and Machine Economy Launchpad. DAO allocates capital to potential robot companies (such as Apptronik, Figure AI) and conducts professional management through the SubDAO mechanism. In January 2026, XMAQUINA completed its last public auction. The community invested more than US$3.25 million in less than 30 minutes, and the cumulative financing reached US$10 million. The TGE of token $DEUS is expected to be activated from January to February 2026, with 33% unlocked at TGE and 67% released linearly. Current participation points include holding $DEUS to participate in governance voting and revenue sharing, paying attention to DAO proposals and staking mechanisms, and the upcoming Launchpad project. XMAQUINA's model is essentially a "robot version of an investment fund" that lowers the threshold for ordinary investors to participate in early investment in robotics companies, and at the same time achieves decentralization of investment decisions through DAO governance.

Robonomics is the earliest Web3 robot coordination platform. Robonomics is a pioneer in the field of Web3 robots. It launched a testnet as early as 2018 to provide robot cloud services and smart contract task allocation functions. Its core capabilities include IoT device integration, sensor data uploading and automated task execution. Robonomics' token $XRT was issued in 2019 and has been listed on exchanges such as Kraken, but its market value is small and it is a "veteran" project in the track. Compared with new projects, Robonomics' ecology is relatively mature but has sluggish growth and lacks recent large-scale airdrops or incentive activities. It is more suitable for investors who have long-term focus on the integration of the Internet of Things and robots to hold and observe.

It is noteworthy that more innovative models are emerging in the application landing layer. The "Universal Basic Ownership Pilot" pilot project within the peaq ecosystem explores the inclusive ownership of machine assets, while the tokenized machine deployment mechanism allows ordinary users to invest in and share the operational benefits of robots. In addition, agents such as ArAIstotle ($FACY) have emerged in the Virtuals ecosystem, achieving 382,000 queries, 8,000 users and $760,000 in tax revenue, with a monthly ACP increase of 413 times, proving the huge potential of the AI ​​agent economy.

5. Challenges, risks and future prospects

Although the Web3 Robots track shows huge room for imagination, it is still in the early stages of development and faces multiple challenges and risks.

At the technical level, the robot's hardware reliability and environmental adaptability are still bottlenecks. As OpenMind founder Jan Liphardt said, the reliability of key components such as dexterous hands is still a problem. If a manipulator with five fingers and 12 degrees of freedom breaks down after running for one hundred hours, its practical value will be greatly reduced. In addition, issues such as the gap between simulation tools and the real environment and the human voice interaction simulation required for social robots require continuous technical research.

At the valuation level, some projects have the risk of high valuation and low circulation. Taking OpenMind as an example, Kaito Launchpad has a pre-sale valuation of US$400 million FDV, which is double the valuation of the previous round of financing (US$200 million). It may overdraw the secondary market space and face selling pressure from early VC unlocking. Investors need to be wary of projects whose "narrative premium" is too high but whose actual progress is less than expected.

In terms of data quality, data layer projects such as PrismaX face the risk of the influx of "Lumao Studios". If the project team cannot effectively screen high-quality training data, the points will lose value, eventually leading to severe selling pressure during the airdrop. How to ensure data quality while motivating users to participate is a difficult problem that all data layer projects need to solve.

In terms of competitive landscape, traditional robot manufacturers tend to adopt closed systems (such as Tesla Optimus), similar to Apple's iOS model. Whether open source "Android models" like OpenMind can survive in the cracks of giants depends on whether they can attract enough mid-level hardware manufacturers to form an ecological synergy.

Looking to the future, the development of the Web3 Robots track will evolve along three main lines: First, standardization. The A2A (Agent-to-Agent) communication protocol is becoming a universal language for robots and agents. Similar to how HTTP unified the early Internet, A2A will become the bottom layer of communication in the autonomous world. Second, real income. The case of peaq robot farm proves that the Web3 robot project can generate real cash flow that does not rely on token inflation. In the future, more projects will explore the business models of "Device-as-a-Service" and "Robot-as-an-Asset". Third, compliance and governance. As robots become deeply involved in economic activities, regulators will require explainability and source traceability of AI decisions. Blockchain’s immutable ledger will become a critical infrastructure for meeting compliance requirements.

6. Conclusion: Participation strategy and investment logic

The Web3 Robots track is in a critical stage of transition from proof of concept to large-scale application. For investors and ecological participants, the current core strategy should be: focus on underlying capacity building, track the actual scale of deployment, and seize early participation opportunities.

From the perspective of ecological niche, infrastructure layer projects (OpenMind, peaq) have higher certainty and moats, but valuations may have partially reflected expectations; data layer projects (PrismaX) are highly elastic but accompanied by data quality risks; financial layer projects (Virtuals) and application layer projects (XMAQUINA) rely more on ecological prosperity and community activity.

Looking back at the evolution of the mobile phone industry from the "copycat era" to the "Android/iOS two-hero competition", the Web3 robot track may be going through a similar early stage. As the founder of OpenMind said, there will not be only one winner in the future, but many powerful players will emerge. For investors paying attention to this track, this is a window period for observation, learning and selective participation. The future in which machines become economic entities on the chain is moving from science fiction to reality.