TRON DAO has expanded its artificial intelligence fund from $100 million to $1 billion as it pushes deeper into infrastructure for the agentic economy. The new plan targets early-stage startups and acquisitions in areas linked to AI-driven payments, digital identity, tokenized assets, and financial software for autonomous systems.

TRON DAO said the larger fund will support companies building core tools for AI-based economic activity. The investment focus includes agent identity systems, stablecoin payment rails, tokenized real-world assets, and developer tools for autonomous finance.

The group said the move builds on ideas it set out in 2023. Those ideas include stablecoins serving as a payment layer for AI agents and tokenized equity becoming part of digital ownership models.

Agentic AI payments draw wider blockchain interest

The fund expansion comes as more blockchain groups move toward AI-linked payment systems. TRON joins a wider push across the sector as networks and payment firms test infrastructure for machine-led commerce and autonomous transactions.

Ethereum has also moved into this field, but with a different approach. In September 2025, the Ethereum Foundation launched its dAI Team and said it wants Ethereum to become the ”preferred settlement and coordination layer” for AI agents and the machine economy.

Moreover, TRON said its network is built to support this market because of its large user base and stablecoin activity. Public figures linked to the announcement said the blockchain has more than 370 million user accounts and more than $85 billion in circulating USDT.

The announcement also pointed to heavy transaction flow across the network. TRON said daily transaction volume is above $21 billion, a figure it used to support its case for handling AI-led payments at scale.

Fund comes as payment protocols gain attention

Interest in agentic payments has increased in recent months as new protocols and wallet tools enter the market. Research from Artemis said x402 has become a popular option among developers building this type of payment flow.

TRON’s larger fund places it more directly in that race. The latest move shows the group wants a stronger role in the infrastructure layer behind AI payments and tokenized financial systems.