The Rise of AttentionFi and InfoFi: A New Paradigm in Creator Monetization and AI-Driven Marketing

The digital economy is undergoing a seismic shift as AttentionFi and InfoFi redefine how attention, data, and insights are monetized. These emerging paradigms, powered by AI and blockchain, are transforming user engagement into tradable assets, creating new opportunities for creators, marketers, and investors. By decentralizing control over attention and data, platforms like Kaito, Polymarket, and Cookie3 are reshaping the crypto and Web3 ecosystems. This article explores the investment potential of these platforms, their financial performance, strategic partnerships, and the challenges they face in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The AttentionFi and InfoFi Ecosystem: A New Economic Model

AttentionFi and InfoFi represent a convergence of AI-driven analytics and blockchain-based incentive systems. Unlike traditional advertising models, which rely on opaque metrics and centralized intermediaries, these platforms tokenize attention and data, enabling direct monetization for creators and users. For instance, Kaito leverages AI to evaluate the authenticity and influence of social media content, rewarding creators through its "Yaps" system and gamified leaderboards. Similarly, Wallchain uses AI to filter out bots and incentivize meaningful contributions, ensuring that attention is both measurable and valuable.

This shift is not merely speculative. According to a report by Crypto.com, Kaito's AI algorithm processes over 200,000 monthly active users, tokenizing attention through metrics like proof of work and insight. Meanwhile, InfoFi platforms such as Ocean and Fetch are empowering users to own and profit from their data, creating a decentralized alternative to centralized data brokers.

Key Platforms and Financial Performance

The financial trajectories of leading platforms highlight their growing influence. Polymarket, a prediction market platform, has become a bellwether for the sector. In 2025, it secured $205 million in undisclosed funding rounds and a $2 billion investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), valuing the platform at $9 billion post-investment. This influx of capital has driven trading volume to $3.02 billion in October 2025 alone. Polymarket's U.S. relaunch, coupled with plans for a native token and airdrop, further underscores its institutional appeal.

Kaito has also demonstrated robust growth. The platform's Venture Capital Division, launched in 2025, allocates 6 million KAITO tokens to incentivize content creators and support crypto projects within its ecosystem. Additionally, Kaito's collaboration with Polymarket to launch verifiable mindshare markets-powered by EigenCloud and Brevis-has introduced a novel category of prediction markets that leverage AI-derived sentiment and social metrics.

On the analytics front, Cookie3 has emerged as a critical player in MarketingFi. The platform raised $8 million in funding, including a $5.5 million seed round led by Animoca Brands and Spartan Group. Cookie3's tools, such as KOL Intelligence and Community Engagement, have processed over 9 billion multichain transactions and attracted 170 businesses, demonstrating its utility in optimizing marketing ROI. A case study by Spark revealed an 8,200% mindshare growth using Cookie3's analytics, showcasing its effectiveness in driving engagement.

Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Expansion

Strategic alliances are accelerating the adoption of AttentionFi and InfoFi platforms. Kaito's partnership with Beyond.tech, for example, allocates 4% of the $BYD supply to community rewards, fostering ecosystem growth. Similarly, Cookie3's inclusion in the ChainGPT Pad Acceleration Program has refined its product development and community-building strategies.

Polymarket's collaboration with EigenCloud and Brevis to create auditable AI compute and zero-knowledge verification mechanisms exemplifies the sector's focus on transparency. These partnerships not only enhance functionality but also address concerns about data privacy and manipulation, which are critical for mainstream adoption.

Challenges and Risks

Despite their promise, AttentionFi and InfoFi platforms face challenges. Critics argue that tokenized attention models may incentivize low-quality or AI-generated content, leading to spam and engagement farming. For instance, Galxe's Starboard platform has indexed over 150,000 posts generating 230 million views, but concerns persist about the authenticity of contributions. Additionally, centralization around high-reward projects risks creating monopolies, undermining the decentralized ethos of Web3.

Investment Thesis: Opportunities in Decentralized Attention and Data

The AttentionFi and InfoFi sectors present compelling investment opportunities for those willing to navigate their complexities. Platforms with strong AI integration, transparent governance, and diversified revenue streams-such as Kaito, Polymarket, and Cookie3-are well-positioned to capture market share. Investors should prioritize projects that address scalability, content quality, and user retention while leveraging strategic partnerships to expand their ecosystems.

As the attention economy evolves, the ability to quantify and monetize human and machine intelligence will become a cornerstone of Web3. For now, the platforms leading this charge are not just redefining creator monetization-they are building the infrastructure for a new digital economy.