AI Crypto Sector Gains 54% in September as NEAR Rises 183%
The AI crypto sector gained 54% in September 2026, more than twice the 24% return recorded by the broader cryptocurrency market, according to data published by Grayscale.
The figures, shared by Grayscale in an X post on October 2, cover September alone. Among the four tokens highlighted by the firm, NEAR recorded the largest monthly gain at 183%, followed by Venice VVV at 70%, World WLD at 47%, and Bittensor TAO at 37%.
The performance comes as investors show increasing interest in the potential role of blockchain networks in artificial intelligence infrastructure, although Grayscale described that connection cautiously rather than identifying it as a definitive cause of the sector's gains.
AI Crypto Sector Outperformed the Broader Market
Grayscale's September data placed the AI crypto sector's 54% return well above the 24% gain for the wider cryptocurrency market.
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| Source: Grayscale |
The four tokens highlighted in the firm's post were:
| Token | September Gain |
|---|---|
| NEAR | 183% |
| Venice VVV | 70% |
| World WLD | 47% |
| Bittensor TAO | 37% |
NEAR was the strongest performer among the listed assets, while Bittensor posted the smallest gain at 37%. The figures represent percentage changes during September and do not include trading volumes or September closing prices.
Grayscale said the sector's performance may reflect growing interest in blockchain as potential infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The firm did not state that this was definitively responsible for the gains.
The broader AI-related crypto theme includes decentralized networks associated with machine-to-machine transactions, verifiable artificial intelligence and private computing. The so-called agent economy also focuses on software agents capable of conducting transactions through public blockchain networks.
NEAR Price Falls After September's 183% Gain
Despite its strong September performance, NEAR was trading lower over the 24-hour period on October 3.
Data cited from CoinGecko put NEAR's price at $4.70, with a 24-hour decline of 6.6%. Its market capitalization stood at $6.146 billion, while 24-hour trading volume was $797.091 million.
NEAR's 30-day gain was listed at 144%, although that figure covers a different period from the calendar-month return of 183% reported for September.
The token remained 76.9% below its all-time high of $20.44. The available data does not identify a specific reason for the 24-hour decline.
The sharp difference between September's monthly gain and the subsequent daily decline highlights the volatility of AI-related crypto assets and the importance of distinguishing between different measurement periods.
Grayscale's GCPU Fund Also Reflects AI Infrastructure Theme
The AI-related investment theme extends beyond crypto tokens. Grayscale's fund page states that its Bitcoin Miners ETF, previously identified as MNRS, became the fund now known as GCPU on September 22, 2026.
Following the change, the fund's index became the Indxx High Performance Computing Index, while GCPU continued trading on NYSE Arca.
The fund focuses on companies rather than cryptocurrency tokens and spans GPU cloud providers, hosting specialists and infrastructure operators that are repurposing existing computing capacity.
The shift provides another example of investment products being linked to high-performance computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure, although it is separate from the monthly token returns reported for the AI crypto sector.
September Gains Offer Limited Evidence of a Longer-Term Trend
Grayscale's data captures only one month of performance, making it difficult to establish whether the September rally represents a sustained shift in demand for AI-focused crypto assets.
The firm's research has identified assets including TAO, NEAR and WLD within its discussion of investable AI-related crypto assets. However, educational material associated with the sector notes that the named tokens are presented for educational purposes rather than as investment recommendations.
The September performance therefore provides a snapshot of a strong month for the sector rather than evidence by itself of a lasting market trend. Further performance data would be needed to determine whether investor interest in decentralized AI infrastructure persists.
Writer: Marcus RenfieldCrypto Market Analyst & Onchain WriterMarcus Renfield covers cryptocurrency markets with a focus on onchain data, Bitcoin price action, and emerging market narratives. His writing examines how capital flows, network activity, and broader market structure influence short- and medium-term trends.He aims to provide clear, data-informed analysis for readers seeking a deeper understanding of crypto market dynamics.