xTAO Holds $15.8M in Bittensor Tokens as Largest Public Holder

xTAO, the publicly traded treasury company for the Bittensor network, disclosed on July 12, 2025, that it holds 41,538 TAO tokens, valued at approximately $15.8 million at current market rates [1]. This positions xTAO as the largest publicly traded entity with a direct stake in Bittensor’s native token. The company highlighted that its holdings provide immediate economic exposure to the Bittensor network while also serving as capital to establish validators that generate recurring revenue. The announcement came amid ongoing strategic accumulation, with reports indicating that xTAO had added more than 10,000 TAO tokens to its treasury in recent months [3].

The TAO token is integral to Bittensor, a decentralized AI development platform that operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Users contribute computational resources and insights to improve AI models, earning TAO tokens based on the utility of their input. The platform is designed to be open-access, enabling permissionless coordination and incentivizing contributions through a token-based model [1].

xTAO’s CEO, Karia Samaroo, emphasized the company’s strategic vision: to build core infrastructure, generate sustainable cash flow, and compound value alongside the Bittensor network. The company is currently staking its TAO holdings on the Bittensor root network, yielding approximately 10% annually [1]. Additionally, xTAO revealed that it maintains a substantial amount of cash reserves for further token acquisitions, indicating its continued commitment to expanding its position in the Bittensor ecosystem.

The company’s move to disclose its holdings sets a new benchmark for transparency in the emerging space of crypto-native treasuries. By publicly revealing its stake, xTAO may encourage greater clarity and standardization in corporate disclosure practices among publicly traded entities with crypto exposures. The company also recently launched its common shares on Canada’s TSX Venture Exchange and secured a $22.8 million investment from digital asset venture capital firms, including Digital Currency Group and Animoca Brands [1].

Despite the strategic significance of the announcement, xTAO’s stock closed down 10.24% on Wednesday, trading at $1.49 [1]. The decline could reflect broader market volatility or investor skepticism regarding the company’s growth prospects. However, xTAO’s stake in Bittensor reflects confidence in the platform’s potential to reshape the decentralized AI landscape and reinforce the token’s utility within the blockchain ecosystem.

The market now watches closely to see how institutional adoption and regulatory clarity will influence Bittensor’s trajectory. For xTAO, the stakes are high, but the long-term success of the Bittensor network could significantly impact the value of its substantial TAO holdings.

Source: [1] xTAO Becomes Largest Publicly Traded Holder of Bittensor Token (https://thedefiant.io/news/tradfi-and-fintech/xtao-becomes-largest-publicly-traded-holder-of-bittensor-token)

[2] xTAO reveals Bittensor holdings worth $16 million, largest (https://www.coinlive.com/en/news-flash/863803)

[3] xTAO Becomes Largest Publicly Traded Holder of Bittensor Token (https://thedefiant.io/ethereum-turns-10)