Bitcoin News Today: DCG Launches AI Crypto On-Ramp, Mirroring Bitcoin's Early Institutional Adoption

Digital Currency Group (DCG) has launched Yuma Asset Management, a $10 million investment vehicle aimed at scaling Bittensor's decentralized AI (deAI) ecosystem. The initiative, announced on October 9, 2025, introduces two fund strategies designed to provide institutional and accredited investors with exposure to subnet tokens-protocol-native crypto assets of Bittensor's decentralized contributor networks. These tokens are denominated in and traded using TAO, the native token of the Bittensor network .

The Yuma Subnet Composite Fund is structured to offer market-cap weighted exposure across all active subnets, mirroring the NASDAQ Composite's approach to traditional equities. Conversely, the Yuma Large Cap Subnet Fund targets exposure to the top subnets by market capitalization, akin to the Dow Jones Industrial Average's focus on leading companies . DCG described these funds as a bridge for investors to access decentralized AI innovation, a sector it likens to the transformative potential of Bitcoin. The firm's founder and CEO, Barry Silbert, emphasized that subnet tokens represent an emerging asset class fueled by TAO, enabling investors to participate in AI-driven infrastructure developed by startup teams on the Bittensor network .

Bittensor functions as a decentralized network where contributors are rewarded for providing data and computational power to subnets-specialized AI services ranging from text translation and fraud detection to protein structure prediction. Unlike centralized AI systems, Bittensor operates through a permissionless framework, allowing anyone to build, power, or access models via subnets. The network's Yuma Consensus mechanism ensures fair measurement and reward distribution, with TAO serving as the primary incentive . DCG highlighted that the launch of Yuma Asset Management addresses barriers to institutional participation in decentralized AI, particularly given the private nature of major AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic .

The $10 million anchor investment from DCG underscores the firm's strategic bet on the convergence of crypto and AI. Silbert, who previously launched the Bitcoin Investment Trust in 2013 (now Grayscale's GBTC), reiterated his belief in decentralized AI's transformative potential. He compared the current phase of deAI development to Bitcoin's early days, suggesting that Yuma Asset Management could replicate the success of institutional on-ramps to crypto assets .

However, the initiative carries risks. Subnet tokens and TAO-related investments are subject to extreme price volatility, liquidity constraints, and regulatory uncertainties. DCG disclaimed any endorsement or guarantee of returns, noting that the funds are not registered under U.S. or foreign securities laws. Investors are advised that there is no assurance of achieving the funds' investment objectives .

The launch aligns with DCG's broader strategy to expand its influence in decentralized ecosystems. Yuma, established in November 2024, has already incubated subnets for firms like Sturdy, Masa, and Infinite Games, while serving as a validator and miner on the Bittensor network. The subsidiary's technical expertise and capital allocation aim to accelerate the adoption of open-source AI infrastructure, positioning Bittensor as a decentralized alternative to corporate-owned AI platforms .

Source: [1] Bittensor's Decentralized AI Studio, Yuma, Launches Asset (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/10/09/bittensor-s-decentralized-ai-studio-yuma-launches-asset-management-arm)

[2] Yuma Unveils 'Yuma Asset Management,' Creating a New Gateway ... (https://www.financialcontent.com/article/bizwire-2025-10-9-yuma-unveils-yuma-asset-management-creating-a-new-gateway-to-the-decentralized-ai-sector-for-institutional-and-accredited-investors)

[3] Digital Currency Group subsidiary Yuma launches asset ... (https://www.theblock.co/post/374074/digital-currency-group-subsidiary-yuma-launches-asset-management-division-with-two-flagship-funds)

[4] DCG Launches Yuma to Fuel Decentralized AI Innovation ... (https://cryptoslate.com/dcg-launches-yuma-to-fuel-decentralized-ai-innovation-with-bittensor/)

[5] Yuma Launches Asset Management Arm for Bittensor's ... (https://holder.io/news/yuma-asset-management-bittensor-ai-network/)

[6] Decentralized AI studio Yuma launches asset management arm ... (https://www.mexc.com/news/decentralized-ai-studio-yuma-launches-asset-management-arm-and-secures-10-million-investment-from-dcg/124312)