Top AI Crypto Coins in August 2026

Artificial intelligence remains one of the strongest convictions for this cycle as institutional adoption continues to grow and real-world AI applications expand rapidly. One analyst says upcoming milestones, such as potential IPOs from companies like OpenAI or Anthropic, could shift fresh capital into AI-related Crypto coins. 

While the broader market remains under pressure, with Bitcoin trading around the mid-$60,000 range, the current weakness is seen as a buying opportunity rather than a warning sign. 

He expects the market to find its bottom between September and October, following the pattern of previous cycles, and plans to steadily dollar-cost average into high-conviction AI projects. According to him, investors should focus on fundamentally strong protocols with real products, active users, and sustainable revenue, as these are likely to lead the next rally once sentiment improves.

Near Protocol Leads His AI Portfolio

Among his highest-conviction investments is Near Protocol, which he says continues to deliver meaningful network growth despite market weakness.

He highlighted several reasons:

• Around $24 billion in cross-chain swaps settled.
• Strong focus on privacy-powered AI applications.
• Infrastructure supporting projects such as Venice and privacy-focused ecosystems.
• Exposure to the rapidly growing AI-agent economy, which is projected to reach $190 billion–$500 billion by 2030.

Trading around $1.60, he considers Near attractive even at current prices and would add more if the market falls further.

TAO Remains a Long-Term Favorite

Next up on his list is Bittensor (TAO), describing it as one of the strongest decentralized AI plays available.

His investment thesis includes:

• A network supporting 128 AI subnets.
• Continuous ecosystem expansion with new subnet launches.
• Increasing social attention surrounding the project.
• Strong long-term vision as a marketplace for decentralized intelligence.

He even referenced recent comments from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who described intelligence as a future universal currency, arguing that TAO is building the marketplace around that idea.

With TAO trading near $190, he said accumulating around current levels, or on any further dip toward the $170–180 range, could prove rewarding over time.

Venice Still Has Upside

The third AI project on his list is Venice.

Although the token faced criticism following its $65 million Series A funding round, he thinks those concerns have largely been priced in.

Recent developments include:

• Integration of the Kimmy K3 AI model.
• Continued focus on private AI infrastructure.
• Stable price action compared with many competing AI tokens.

That’s why he expects Venice to revisit previous highs once AI enthusiasm returns.

Other Coins Still on His Radar

Beyond AI, he continues watching Hyperliquid, planning to accumulate if prices fall into the low-$50 or even $40 range. He also remains positive on Zcash and XRP which is 9% down, calling it another high-conviction holding outside the AI sector. 

For now, however, his strategy is to ignore low-quality projects, accumulate fundamentally strong AI leaders, and prepare for what he believes could become the next major crypto narrative.