How Vana (VANA) is changing the way personal data is evaluated for user AI

What is Vana?

Vana is an open, decentralized, Layer-1 or L1 open blockchain protocol for data exchange and access to artificial intelligence (AI). In the Vana blockchain, data is represented as digital assets (tokens), and users can exchange data just like they exchange tokens by making familiar transactions.

The Vana network allows users' data to be managed personally or collectively and maximizes its value, as data owners can be rewarded directly from its use, which is exactly what blockchain technology provides. In addition, the Vana blockchain enables co-ownership and management of AI agents, through which a fair distribution of profits to developers is achieved.

When the Vana testnet was launched in June 2024, the project team was able to attract more than 1.3 million users who created more than 300 decentralized communities (DataDAOs), and the number of daily transactions exceeded 1.7 million. This indicates the crypto community's high interest in blockchain projects related to AI.

How does Vana work?

The Vana blockchain is compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means that developers can easily port applications from the Vana ecosystem to Ethereum, as well as any other EVM-compatible blockchain, such as:

The Vana blockchain protocol is designed to extend the functions of custom AI and ensure data sovereignty. Vana's decentralized network consists of three main components:

Personal Data Servers — personal nodes where users store and retain full ownership of their data, evidenced by private keys. Users themselves control access to their personal data and manage it securely.
Data Liquidity Pools: A common data space in the Vana network where users can share information. In this way, for example, users can monetize their data and create knowledge bases for collective access.
Programmable Ownership Rights — A component that allows users to define, track, and enforce ownership of their data while maintaining transparency.

Vana token

VANA is a native cryptocurrency on the Vana blockchain network. It is used to pay fees, reward validators who confirm transactions, and access data liquidity pools (DLPs).

In addition, VANA tokens have another purpose: community support. Users can join DataDAO groups and stack their tokens for rewards. However, the Vana ecosystem is set up to ensure a competitive environment: only the top 16 DataDAO communities in terms of tokens staked are rewarded.

The maximum issuance (maximum possible number) of VANA tokens is limited to 120 million, of which 112 million have been issued. At the same time, according to CoinMarketCap data, as of the end of December 2024, only about a quarter of the maximum number of tokens — 30.08 million VANAs — are circulating on the market. Of that, about 20% (4.8 million VANA tokens) were distributed during the Dec. 16 airdrop to early participants in the ecosystem.

VANA tokens were issued and listed on exchanges in mid-December 2024. The very next day after listing, their value reached an all-time high (ATH) of $35.53. However, a couple more days later, the VANA exchange rate fell to an all-time low of $14.69. According to CoinMarketCap, as of December 2024, the VANA token is valued at $18.73 with a market capitalization of $563 million.

Does Vana have prospects?

On the one hand, the Vana blockchain is one of the potentially valuable crypto projects related to the AI segment, which, in turn, was among the leading trends in 2024.

Analysts expect the trend for blockchain projects in the AI sphere to continue until 2025. Therefore, under favorable conditions in the crypto market, Vana has the chance to develop and grow, which can provide profit to investors.

However, it is also worth considering the competition among projects in the AI segment. Although Vana's blockchain is among the top 20 most significant crypto projects in the field of AI by capitalization, it should also pay attention to the fact that it has to compete with such serious players as: