Bittensor's Null Consensus protocol update increases subnet capacity and enables optional proof-of-work registration, coinciding with a 10% daily TAO price surge to $285.
AI & Agents ·
TAO has climbed past $285 following a double-digit daily price increase, driven by broader market momentum alongside a significant protocol development. Bittensor's Null Consensus update expands subnet capacity from 256 to 2,500 participants and introduces optional proof-of-work registration, allowing miners to join subnets through computational challenges rather than upfront TAO payments. This mechanic aims to lower barriers for new participants, including autonomous AI agents seeking entry via compute resources alone.
Market participants have offered varying bullish outlooks. Some analysts project TAO reaching $350–$400 by year-end, while others cite the token's consolidation pattern since mid-2024 as setting up potential for substantial moves. One prediction extends to a speculative $1 trillion market cap by 2030, though this scenario appears highly unlikely given current valuations below $3.3 billion.
It remains unclear whether the protocol update will meaningfully accelerate adoption or whether TAO's near-term price momentum will sustain beyond the current rally. The extent to which proof-of-work registration draws new mining activity, and whether macro conditions continue supporting the cryptocurrency complex, remains to be observed.