- Coinbase announced it will not facilitate the migration of Ocean Protocol (OCEAN) and Fetch.ai (FET) tokens as part of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI) merger, instead allowing users to perform migrations through self-custodial wallets.
- The ASI token, which aims to enhance decentralized AI infrastructure, will launch in mid-July.
In a surprising move, Coinbase has announced its decision not to facilitate the migration of Ocean Protocol (OCEAN) and Fetch.ai (FET) tokens as part of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI) merger. This decision, outlined in a statement released on June 26, has significant implications for users invested in these assets.
Coinbase’s Standpoint
Coinbase, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges globally, stated its intention to continue supporting trading for OCEAN and FET until further notice. However, it will not execute migrations on behalf of its users. Instead, Coinbase plans to enable users to perform migrations through their self-custodial wallets, including the Coinbase Wallet and other major software wallets.
Token Merger Details
The ASI token merger involves three cryptocurrencies: OCEAN, FET, and SingularityNET (AGIX). While Coinbase’s decision impacts OCEAN and FET, it notably does not support trading for AGIX and did not comment on its stance regarding AGIX in its latest statement.
Fetch.ai, another key player in this merger, has outlined plans for other exchanges to support the transition. From July 1 onwards, cooperating exchanges will cease deposits and withdrawals for AGIX and OCEAN while allowing continued operations for FET. Ultimately, these exchanges will delist AGIX and OCEAN in favor of the new ASI token, set to launch in mid-July.
Exchange Actions
Several exchanges, including Bitfinex, HTX, Bitget, Binance, and KuCoin, have disclosed their plans to manage the merger. Crypto.com has already halted availability as of June 28. These exchanges aim to automatically merge the three tokens for their users, although specific implementation dates vary.
Strategic Implications
The merger itself marks a significant move in the decentralized AI sector, aimed at challenging the dominance of Big Tech in artificial intelligence. By consolidating resources and focus under the ASI token, the alliance seeks to bolster decentralized AI infrastructure, particularly emphasizing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence.
Coinbase’s decision not to facilitate the OCEAN-FET migration underscores the complexities and varying approaches within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As the ASI token prepares to launch, stakeholders will be closely watching how these developments unfold across different exchanges. For users, ensuring they are informed and prepared for any necessary actions regarding their holdings will be crucial in navigating this transitional period in the AI-focused cryptocurrency landscape.
