Carv is a decentralized platform that integrates gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology and is powered by CARV Token. It enables individuals to manage ownership of their digital identity and data through systems such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), modular blockchain architecture, and AI-driven infrastructure. The platform facilitates data management, monetization, and application across gaming ecosystems, AI training frameworks, and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. ^{[1] [11]}

Overview

Carv operates in the AI ​​and blockchain sector through three primary components:

• The first is a self-sovereign identity system, which allows users to generate and share verifiable credentials derived from activities such as gaming achievements or social interactions. These credentials are secured using cryptographic methods, ensuring tamper-proof authenticity.
• The second component is a data monetization marketplace, where anonymized user data can be licensed to third parties, including AI developers, game studios, and advertisers. This marketplace emphasizes privacy preservation, enabling data transactions without exposing raw user information.
• The third component involves AI agentic infrastructure, which consists of autonomous systems designed to perform tasks on behalf of users. These agents operate across applications such as DeFi portfolio management or in-game asset optimization, leveraging aggregated data to execute predefined objectives. Carv’s infrastructure is supported by the CARV Protocol, a modular blockchain tailored for gaming and AI use cases. The protocol’s development is bolstered by collaborations with entities such as Consensys, HashKey, and several established game studios. ^{[1] [9] [10] [3] [4]}

History

Carv was founded in 2023 with the goal of bridging Web2 gaming ecosystems with Web3 infrastructure. During its initial phase, the project released an alpha version of the CARV Protocol, which introduced credentialing tools for gaming communities.

By the fourth quarter of 2023, Carv secured $4 million in seed funding led by Vertex Ventures and HashKey Capital. This investment aimed to expand the platform’s data monetization capabilities.

In January 2024, the project launched its mainnet, marking the introduction of the AI Agentic Chain. This subnet is dedicated to training and deploying AI models using datasets authorized by users.

A partnership with Consensys and HashKey in March 2024 resulted in a $50 million accelerator program to support gaming and AI projects building on the CARV Protocol. Three months later, Carv unveiled the D.A.T.A. Framework (Decentralized AI Training Architecture), a system designed to enable federated machine learning while maintaining data privacy through decentralized computation. ^{[1] [7] [5] [9]}

Technology

The CARV Protocol serves as the technical foundation of the platform. It integrates a credential system based on zero-knowledge proofs, which allows users to generate verifiable credentials from both on-chain transactions and off-chain activities. These credentials are stored in a data vault, a user-controlled storage module secured by end-to-end encryption and decentralized identifiers (DIDs).

A key feature of the protocol is the Agentic Chain, a subnet optimized for AI operations. This component supports federated learning, a method where AI models are trained across decentralized nodes without transferring raw data from user vaults. Developers can access aggregated, anonymized datasets to train models, while users retain control over their data inputs.

The D.A.T.A. Framework expands on this infrastructure by enabling the creation of data unions, where users pool anonymized data streams for licensing to third parties. Compensation for data contributions is automated through smart contracts, which distribute revenue based on predefined terms. ^{[1] [3] [4] [7]}

Ecosystem

CARV Play

Carv Play is an AI-powered gaming Super App built on top of the CARV Protocol, enabling gamers with seamless credential-based gaming experiences and empowering games with data-driven growth & intelligence.

• The First Cross-Platform Achievement System: Carv Play ensures gamer data privacy and sovereignty by converting all your gaming achievements into verifiable SBTs (Soul bound Tokens), storing your in-game achievements, memories, and journeys across all games and gaming platforms.
• The Largest Web3 Gaming Platform: Carv Play features 600+ top notch and rewarding NFT games with detailed information and game reviews from seasoned gamers alike. Carv Play hosts exclusive partnership events with rewards including USDT, NFTs, and physical items, allowing gamers to play and earn at the same time.
• The Most Engaging and Genuine Gaming Community: Join the vibrant Carv community with millions of gamers, connect with gaming influencers, make gaming friends, compete in community game events, and win prizes. ^[12]

Tokenomics

CARV Token ($CARV)

The CARV token (CARV) functions as the ecosystem’s native utility and governance asset. It is used to pay for services such as AI agent operations, data licensing fees, and credential verification processes. Token holders participate in governance decisions, including protocol upgrades and policy adjustments for data unions. Additionally, CARV can be staked to secure the Agentic Chain, with participants earning rewards from network fees.

Token Utility

• Gas Token – Covers network computing costs for blockchain nodes.
• Liquidity Pairing – Used for pairing with AI agent tokens in liquidity pools.
• Payment Currency – Enables transactions within the CARV ecosystem, including gas fees for multi-chain operations and gaming asset purchases.
• Access Control – Grants AI agents and projects access to CARV protocol utilities, such as unified user profiles.
• Incentives – Supports the CARV protocol’s modular data layer by rewarding data owners, providers, and consumers.
• Staking Mechanism – Can be converted to veCARV(s) at a 1:1 ratio through staking for governance participation and additional benefits. ^[8]

The allocation includes 45% for ecosystem development, 20% for the team, 15% for investors, 10% for community incentives, and 10% held in a foundation reserve. ^{[2] [5] [6] [8]}