xTAO becomes largest public TAO holder with $16M stake

xTAO Inc. has emerged as the largest publicly listed holder of Bittensor’s native TAO tokens, with a current holding of 41,538 TAO, valued at approximately $16 million as of July 31, 2025. The company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and headquartered in the Cayman Islands, has positioned itself centrally within the Bittensor network by leveraging its TAO treasury to support validator operations and infrastructure development [1][2][3]. This strategic move aligns with xTAO’s long-term vision of generating sustainable revenue through participation in the Bittensor network, which is designed to decentralize artificial intelligence computation [4].

The firm’s CEO, Karia Samaroo, highlighted that the TAO treasury provides the necessary economic exposure and operational fuel to establish and maintain validator nodes, which are crucial to the network’s performance and security. “The TAO treasury gives us immediate economic exposure to Bittensor and the fuel to stand up validators that generate reliable revenue,” Samaroo stated [5]. The company is currently staking its holdings, generating an estimated annual yield of around 10 percent, although this may vary depending on token price volatility, validator efficiency, and network conditions [5].

xTAO’s stake in TAO underscores its confidence in the Bittensor protocol and its potential to reshape the AI landscape through decentralized infrastructure. The firm has also raised $22.8 million in funding from major investors to expand its validator operations, further increasing its TAO holdings by over 10,000 tokens [2]. These actions are not merely speculative but represent a strategic, institutional-grade investment in the AI-focused blockchain ecosystem [6].

The company’s public listing and transparent financial reporting differentiate it from many other token holders in the space. This credibility, combined with its substantial cash reserves, allows xTAO to continue acquiring TAO tokens and supporting the network’s growth without relying on external financing [3]. Analysts have noted that xTAO’s approach could serve as a model for other firms entering the DePIN and AI-focused blockchain sectors, particularly as institutional interest in decentralized infrastructure continues to rise [7].

So far, xTAO’s accumulation of TAO tokens has not led to significant price movements in other cryptocurrencies or major volatility in the broader market. The impact remains focused primarily on the Bittensor network, where xTAO’s validator presence and on-chain activity are expected to influence future token value and network security [2]. The company’s actions may also encourage other investors to pursue similar strategies, particularly as Bittensor continues to develop its roadmap and expand its decentralized AI platform [4].

xTAO’s position as the largest publicly traded holder of TAO tokens has been widely covered by crypto news outlets, emphasizing the growing institutional interest in AI-driven blockchain protocols. The timing of the announcement aligns with key developments in the Bittensor network, suggesting a strategic alignment between xTAO and the platform’s evolution [6]. As the firm looks to drive validator revenue and ecosystem growth, its role in the Bittensor network could set a precedent for future corporate participation in AI-focused blockchain initiatives [4].

Source:

[1] TheBlock - [https://www.theblock.co/post/364984/xtao-bittensor-holdings](https://www.theblock.co/post/364984/xtao-bittensor-holdings)

[2] PANews - [https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/4ewu9kw7](https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/4ewu9kw7)

[3] MEXC - [https://www.mexc.com/news/xtao-a-listed-company-holds-16-million-in-tao-becoming-the-largest-public-holder-of-bittensor/63098](https://www.mexc.com/news/xtao-a-listed-company-holds-16-million-in-tao-becoming-the-largest-public-holder-of-bittensor/63098)

[4] Coinpedia - [https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/xtao-becomes-largest-public-holder-of-tao-token/](https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/xtao-becomes-largest-public-holder-of-tao-token/)

[5] PR Newswire (xTAO) - [https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/xtao-provides-update-on-tao-holdings-becomes-largest-publicly-traded-holder-of-tao-821903608.html](https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/xtao-provides-update-on-tao-holdings-becomes-largest-publicly-traded-holder-of-tao-821903608.html)

[6] Crypto News - [https://crypto.news/xtao-becomes-biggest-publicly-traded-holder-of-ai-focused-bittensor-tao-token/](https://crypto.news/xtao-becomes-biggest-publicly-traded-holder-of-ai-focused-bittensor-tao-token/)

[7] DePIN - [https://depinscan.io/news/2025-07-30/xtao-inc-expands-bittensor-token-holdings-becomes-largest-corporate-holder](https://depinscan.io/news/2025-07-30/xtao-inc-expands-bittensor-token-holdings-becomes-largest-corporate-holder)