Lightchain AI, a purpose-built Layer 1 chain for AI-powered applications, announced it has closed all 15 presale stages with $21.1 million in total contributions. The project has now opened its Bonus Round, offering tokens at a fixed price of $0.007 ahead of upcoming exchange listings.
It’s a notable momentum shift in the race to build scalable blockchain infrastructure optimized for artificial intelligence—one where Lightchain AI is pitching itself as a faster, leaner alternative to legacy players.
And it’s not stopping at token sales.
The company also rolled out staking infrastructure and launched a $150,000 developer grant program, signaling a broader push to attract builders and validators ahead of its mainnet launch.
A Blockchain Designed for AI—Not Retrofits
Lightchain AI’s core differentiator lies in its AI-native virtual machine and adaptive smart contract framework, designed to process real-time AI workloads and scale without the congestion and gas fees plaguing traditional chains like Ethereum.
Where many Layer 1s are still attempting to retrofit AI capabilities, Lightchain claims its architecture was purpose-built from the ground up for AI execution environments, giving developers a faster on-ramp to deploy intelligent decentralized applications (dApps).
Its smart staking system is now fully integrated, letting validators lock in $LCAI tokens, simulate rewards, and secure the network during its pre-mainnet phase. This positions Lightchain as a viable destination for both early adopters and more tactical stakers looking to front-run growth.
Final Call Before the Exchanges
The Bonus Round token sale gives investors and crypto-savvy traders one last window to acquire $LCAI at a fixed rate before the token hits public exchanges. According to the team, this round is designed to attract participants with strategic value, not just speculative intent.
“Crossing the $21 million mark demonstrates strong market confidence in Lightchain AI’s architecture and vision,” said a Lightchain AI Labs spokesperson. “We’re empowering builders and long-term contributors with tools, funding, and transparent governance.”
Developer Grants to Fuel Ecosystem Growth
To supercharge its dApp ecosystem, Lightchain AI is now accepting applications for its $150,000 Developer Grant Program. Independent developers, DAO teams, and tooling contributors are invited to submit proposals focused on everything from wallets and analytics to DeFi, AI agents, and protocol integrations.
Grantees will receive both financial support and technical mentorship, adding a community-centric layer to what the team describes as a “performance-first, AI-native protocol.”
This grant program follows a playbook familiar to anyone who tracked the early growth of projects like Solana, Avalanche, or Aptos—all of which used ecosystem funds to catalyze developer interest and network effects.
In Ethereum’s Shadow, a Nimble Alternative Emerges
Ethereum continues to dominate the smart contract landscape but faces ongoing challenges around speed, cost, and scalability. Upcoming upgrades like proto-danksharding aim to relieve pressure—but they’re not here yet.
In contrast, Lightchain AI is trying to capitalize on this lag by positioning itself as a ready-now platform for building AI-powered blockchain apps.
It’s an increasingly competitive arena. Other contenders like Bittensor, Fetch.ai, and Numerai are also exploring the intersection of decentralized compute and artificial intelligence. But Lightchain’s vertical approach—pairing a dedicated virtual machine with a focused incentive model—could give it a sharper edge.
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