Acquisition of TaoFi Infrastructure
Summary by AI BETAClose X
20/01/2026
Astrid Intelligence PLC
("Astrid" or the "Company")
Operational Update: Acquisition of TaoFi Infrastructure
Astrid Intelligence PLC (AQSE: ASTR), an operating company focused on decentralised artificial intelligence and blockchain infrastructure, is pleased to announce that it has acquired TaoFi ("Acquisition"), a decentralised exchange and liquidity infrastructure platform operating within the Bittensor ecosystem from Subnet 10.
Strategic Rationale
Astrid's strategy is to own and operate critical infrastructure that supports the functioning, growth and usability of decentralised AI networks. TaoFi provides core transactional and liquidity services that are essential to the operation of the Bittensor ecosystem, particularly within the Bittensor EVM environment (Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility, which allows developers to deploy and interact with Ethereum smart contracts on the Bittensor platform, enabling the execution of standard Ethereum-compatible applications).
TaoFi allows digital asset participants to "bridge" their USDC stablecoins from the Ethereum ecosystem over to the Bittensor ecosystem and vice versa. The Acquisition, therefore, expands Astrid's infrastructure footprint and strengthens its position as an operator of protocol-level services rather than a passive participant in digital asset markets.
As digital asset awareness and interest grow, TaoFi is expected to provide a key infrastructure to enable increasing volumes moving in and out of Bittensor and therefore revenue for Astrid.
Operational Positioning and Integration
Following the acquisition, TaoFi will be renamed as Astrid Bridge and operated as part of Astrid's growing suite of decentralised infrastructure assets. TaoFi's core functionality will be made available under Astrid's operational umbrella at:
The platform currently supports the following infrastructure services:
- Token exchange: enabling users to buy and sell TAO on the Bittensor EVM Liquidity provisioning: enabling users to contribute liquidity to the TAO / USDC pool.
- Bridging services: enabling the transfer of USDC to and from the Bittensor EVM.
These services form part of Astrid's broader objective to improve accessibility, liquidity, usage and usability across decentralised AI networks.
As part of the integration process, Astrid will streamline TaoFi's feature set to focus on its core infrastructure services. Accordingly, TaoFi's lending functionality and cross-chain subnet features will be demised and users with existing lending, borrowing or cross-chain subnet positions are advised to close these positions within 30 days. While the relevant smart contracts will remain deployed on-chain, platform support for these features will not be provided beyond this transition period.
This is a minor acquisition, with the consideration paid in TAO tokens from the Company's existing reserves.
Subnet 10 Update
Following the acquisition, Subnet 10 will no longer form part of the TaoFi platform. Liquidity providers to the TAO / USDC pool will continue to interact with the pool via TaoFi's infrastructure and will continue to receive protocol-level incentives in accordance with the underlying network rules.
Mark Creaser, CEO of Astrid commented:
"The acquisition of TaoFi represents a further step in Astrid's transition into an infrastructure-led operating company, with an expanding portfolio of protocol-critical assets that enable decentralised AI networks to function efficiently and at scale."
Further updates will be provided as the integration progresses.
For further information please contact:
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Astrid Intelligence |
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Olivia Edwards |
via First Sentinel |
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First Sentinel Corporate Finance (FSCF) |
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Corporate Advisor Brian Stockbridge |
+44 7858 888 007 |
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Oak Securities |
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Corporate Broker Jerry Keen / Calvin Man |
+44 20 3973 3678 / +44 7432 270 007 jerry.keen@oak-securities.com calvin.man@oak-securities.com |
About Astrid Intelligence PLC
Astrid is a UK-headquartered decentralised artificial intelligence company developing and operating autonomous AI systems. The Company operates a dedicated subnet within the Bittensor decentralised AI ecosystem, an open-source platform where participants contribute computing power, data and models in return for TAO emissions. Astrid's digital asset holdings are generated primarily through network participation and support the Company's ongoing operations and long-term capital resilience.
For more information, visit www.astrid.global
Important Notice
There are special risks that the holding of cryptocurrencies present to the Company's financial position. These risks include (but are not limited to): (i) the value of cryptocurrencies can be highly volatile, with value dropping as quickly as it can rise; (ii) the cryptocurrencies market is largely unregulated; (iii) there is a risk of losing money due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and counterparty failure; and (iv) the Company may not be able to sell its cryptocurrencies at will.
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