DGrid is a decentralized artificial intelligence (AI) inference network being developed for the Web3 ecosystem. The project aims to provide an open, modular, and verifiable infrastructure for intelligent computation, with a stated mission to make AI services trustless, accessible, and community-driven. [1] [2]
DGrid is being developed to offer a decentralized alternative to traditional, centralized AI infrastructure. The project's approach is to address the limitations of centralized Web2 services, such as high costs, usage limits, and single points of failure, by creating a distributed network of computational resources. [3] Its vision is centered on the principles of decentralization, accessibility for developers and node operators, trustlessness through on-chain auditing, and scalability via a modular design. The project is categorized as a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN). [2]
On October 31, 2025, DGrid announced the completion of its seed funding round, with support from several venture capital firms and research organizations. [3] According to its website, as of early January 2026, the DGrid ecosystem reported having over 56,000 global users and more than 6,000 holders of its DGrid Genesis Pass, with support for over 100 AI models on its network. [1] The project's model proposes a system where developers can integrate AI functionalities, node operators can contribute their computational power to earn rewards, and all network operations are verified and settled on-chain. [1] [4]
DGrid's architecture is designed as a modular system with distinct, coordinated layers intended to facilitate decentralized AI inference. The project describes its core technical components as a combination of an AI RPC interface, LLM reasoning capabilities, and a distributed network of nodes. [1] The system is composed of an inference layer, a caching layer, and a verification layer, which work together to process requests. [1] [5]
The network's operational flow is designed to function in four main steps: [2] [3]
A core component of this architecture is the Decentralized Routing and Verification Network. This part of the system functions as the network's backbone, providing a unified API for developers and intelligently routing requests to the appropriate AI models or agents. It is designed to utilize a "Proof of Quality" algorithm to ensure the trustworthiness and verifiability of the services provided by the nodes. [2]
DGrid's ecosystem includes several products and services for its different user groups. [1]
The primary product is the DGrid AI RPC (Remote Procedure Call) Interface. It is designed to be a unified gateway that allows dApp developers to seamlessly connect to and utilize a wide range of Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI models available on the DGrid network. This interface is intended to simplify the process of integrating AI capabilities into Web3 applications. [1] [3]
The DGrid Genesis Pass is a premium subscription in the form of a non-fungible token (NFT). It grants holders access to high-volume resources on the network. According to the project, benefits include dual-token rewards and priority access to co-builder opportunities within the ecosystem. [1]
On January 1, 2026, the project launched DGrid Genesis Premium, a service tier associated with the Genesis Pass. This tier provides users with elevated resource access, such as a higher volume of API calls and dedicated API access, to support more demanding applications. [3]
DGrid has outlined plans for an LLM & Agent Free Marketplace. This platform is intended to allow AI model providers and agent developers to list their creations, set their own pricing structures, and earn revenue directly from users on the network. The marketplace is also designed to support the tokenization of high-quality models, which aims to help capture their long-term value. [2]
The DGrid website features an AI assistant named Dori. This chatbot appears to function as a public demonstration of the network's inference capabilities, allowing users to interact with an AI powered by the DGrid infrastructure. [1]
The DGrid network is being built around several core features that define its operational model and goals. [4]
The network's infrastructure is architected to operate without a single point of failure or centralized control. By distributing computation across a permissionless network of independent nodes, the system aims to enhance reliability and censorship resistance compared to centralized AI service providers. [3] [5]
The system is composed of distinct layers for inference, caching, and verification. This modularity is intended to allow for greater flexibility and scalability, enabling the independent deployment and upgrading of different models and network functions without disrupting the entire system. [1] [3]
A key goal of the project is to make every inference request and its result traceable and auditable on-chain. This feature is designed to promote fairness and verifiability, allowing any participant to confirm that computations were executed correctly and that billing is accurate. [2] [3]
DGrid incorporates an economic model to incentivize individuals and organizations to contribute computational resources to the network by operating nodes. These node operators execute AI tasks and are compensated with rewards from the network, creating a self-sustaining, community-driven infrastructure. [1] [4]
The network's operations, including task assignment, result verification, and payment settlement, are designed to be secured and enforced through blockchain consensus mechanisms. This approach aims to create a trustless environment where participants can interact without relying on a central intermediary. [2] [4]
The native utility and governance token of the DGrid ecosystem is $DGAI. The token is designed to facilitate various network functions and empower community participation. [2]
The primary utilities for the $DGAI token include:
The project is structured to be governed by an AI DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), which is powered by the $DGAI token. This model is intended to allow token holders to participate in community governance and guide the project's development. The stated long-term goal is for the protocol to evolve toward autonomous AI-driven governance. [2]
The DGrid ecosystem is designed to be comprised of several key participant groups who interact to maintain and utilize the network. [4] The primary roles include AI application developers who use the AI RPC interface to build services, and node operators who provide computational power in exchange for rewards. The ecosystem is also designed to include AI model providers who can list and monetize their models, $DGAI token holders who participate in governance, and the end-users of the dApps powered by DGrid. [1] [2]
DGrid's infrastructure is intended to support a variety of applications that require AI computation. Potential use cases for the network include:
DGrid has received backing from several investment firms and organizations operating in the Web3 space. The project's seed funding round was announced on October 31, 2025. [3] The following entities have been listed as backers and investors: