$VIRTUAL Token Demand Could Soar as Halo Becomes Virtuals Protocol's Default Inference Layer

Warden Protocol has launched Halo, a peer-to-peer AI inference marketplace on Virtuals Protocol, which has already processed over 8 billion tokens in its first weeks. The public alpha went live on June 30 on the Base blockchain and allows participants to earn USDC by handling AI inference requests.

Halo works by routing AI requests through a decentralized network of providers who compete to fulfill the job and get paid in USDC for their trouble, making it similar to BitTorrent but for inferences. This integration with Virtuals Protocol creates a revenue-sharing mechanism that benefits both agent token holders and the underlying infrastructure.

The founding inference contributors on the network include AskVenice and 0G Labs, while Warden Protocol maintains its own token ecosystem centered around WARD, which features buyback mechanics tied to network activity. By denominating earnings in USDC rather than a volatile protocol token, Halo removes a significant friction point in decentralized compute marketplaces.

The success of Halo is important for the broader market because it makes platforms like Virtuals Protocol more sustainable and increases demand for $VIRTUAL tokens if Halo becomes the default inference layer for Virtuals Protocol's 18,000-plus tokenized agents.