As artificial intelligence capabilities accelerate worldwide and Web3 infrastructure reaches a more mature stage, the intersection between AI and crypto ecosystems is entering a period of deeper integration. Against this backdrop, HTX has partnered with AINFT to co-host a global AI Challenge campaign. The initiative features a combined prize pool of 40,000 USDT and is designed to give users around the world hands-on exposure to Web3-native AI access models.
HTX, established in 2013 and previously known as Huobi, has gradually transformed from a digital asset trading platform into a broader blockchain ecosystem. Its operations now span spot and derivatives trading, research, investment activities, incubation programs, and other blockchain-related services. Through this campaign, HTX is positioning itself as an active participant in the emerging AI-driven Web3 economy rather than solely as an exchange.
HTX’s Global Strategy and Web3 Positioning
HTX operates as a global gateway to Web3, emphasizing secure and reliable services for a worldwide user base. The company has outlined a long-term growth strategy centered on international expansion, ecosystem development, value creation for users, and a strong emphasis on security and compliance. By collaborating with AI-focused platforms such as AINFT, HTX is signaling its intention to support innovative sectors that bridge decentralized finance, artificial intelligence, and user-centric applications.
From HTX’s perspective, initiatives like the AI Challenge are intended to encourage user participation across multiple layers of the ecosystem, including trading activity, wallet connectivity, and experimentation with AI-powered tools.
AINFT’s Role as a Web3-Native AI Gateway
AINFT positions itself as a permissionless AI access gateway built natively for Web3. The platform allows users to authenticate directly on-chain by signing in with a TronLink wallet, removing the need for traditional email registration or know-your-customer procedures. This approach relies on blockchain-based identity verification and is aligned with decentralized access principles.
The platform aggregates multiple advanced large language models into a single interface, enabling users to perform dialogue, reasoning, and content creation tasks across a variety of use cases. To reduce onboarding friction, AINFT allocates a one-time grant of one million free points to new users, allowing immediate access to premium AI capabilities without upfront payment.
Once the free allocation is used, participants can recharge their balance using digital assets such as USDT, USDD, USD1, TRX, or NFTs issued on the TRON network. AINFT also supports payments through its TRC20 token, NFT, which provides additional point bonuses and enables a flexible, usage-based payment model without subscriptions.
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— HTX (@HTX_Global) February 13, 2026
Campaign Structure and Reward Distribution
The AI Challenge campaign is scheduled to run through March 13 at 08:00 UTC. Following strong engagement during its initial phase, the second season was introduced with a portion of the total prize pool unlocked, contributing to the overall 40,000 USDT allocation. Participation requires users to connect their TronLink wallet on the AINFT platform, submit their HTX user identification details through a designated form, and complete both AI-related tasks on AINFT and trading-related tasks on HTX.
The AINFT component of the challenge distributes rewards across multiple pools, including community-based incentives tied to wallet participation levels, early participation benefits for first-time users, and deposit-based lucky draws. In parallel, HTX users gain access to exclusive rewards, such as point bonuses, welcome incentives for new account registrations, and trading-based airdrops linked to spot or futures volume thresholds.
Ecosystem Implications for AI and Crypto
The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend in which rising AI compute demand intersects with increasingly efficient crypto payment systems. Decentralized AI portals like AINFT are emerging as potential building blocks of next-generation Web3 infrastructure. By combining HTX’s global exchange reach with AINFT’s AI access framework, the campaign serves as a practical example of how AI and blockchain technologies can reinforce each other.
Looking ahead, HTX has indicated plans to continue working with ecosystem partners to foster a more open, efficient, and sustainable Web3 innovation network. Through such collaborations, the exchange aims to expand access to forward-looking digital asset use cases while supporting experimentation at the convergence of AI and decentralized technologies.
