Planck, an infrastructure-focused protocol designed to support the growing artificial intelligence (AI) sector, has introduced a layer-0 blockchain tailored for decentralized AI ecosystems. The announcement, made on July 16, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the protocol as it seeks to offer foundational support for AI applications, especially those aligned with decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). These networks combine hardware devices, tokenized incentives, and distributed processing frameworks to offer decentralized alternatives to mainstream cloud-based AI systems.
The launch is part of a broader trend in the blockchain sector, where Web3 principles are increasingly being integrated into the development of AI solutions. Planck aims to address the current imbalance in the AI computing landscape, where computational resources are largely controlled by a limited number of technology conglomerates. By decentralizing access to AI infrastructure, the protocol places itself among several emerging blockchain projects focused on AI, such as Bittensor, which specializes in decentralized machine learning, and Fetch.ai, which provides tools for building AI agents.
Planck’s blockchain is structured to generate revenue through multiple channels, including transaction fees, software development kit (SDK) usage, and developer tools. The protocol also incorporates a dual-reward model to incentivize GPU operators, compensating them with the native token based on two key performance metrics: uptime, known as proof-of-connectivity, and active usage, referred to as proof-of-delivery. This reward mechanism is intended to build a robust and sustainable network of GPU resource providers.
The company has already demonstrated revenue generation capabilities ahead of the blockchain’s official launch. A notable portion of its income has originated from GPU rental services and compute-based contracts. According to internal estimates, the firm’s flexible hourly rental model may result in cost savings of up to 90% when compared to traditional centralized cloud services. Between February and July 2025, Planck reported generating $1.5 million in revenue, with the majority attributed to its GPU leasing operations.
Planck is not just a chain.
It’s a full-stack ecosystem for decentralized AI compute.
🧠 Planck₀ – Modular Layer-0
💻 Planck₁ – Sovereign AI Layer-1
🌩 AI Cloud – GPU Console
🧪 AI Studio – Low-code model builderAll powered by $PLANCK 🔁 pic.twitter.com/Wm9Jxx62hT
— Planck (@plancknetwork) July 28, 2025
Planck is positioned in a competitive landscape that includes other AI infrastructure providers such as Vast.ai, CoreWeave, and Lambda. These companies are all responding to increasing demand for compute resources amid an ongoing global shortage of AI chips. This shortage has been a major driver of growth in the GPU-as-a-service market, which, according to Precedence Research, reached $4 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to expand at a 23% compound annual growth rate, potentially reaching $32 billion by 2034.
A spokesperson from Planck underscored the company’s belief that decentralizing the GPU network can play a crucial role in mitigating the rising costs associated with centralized AI compute services. This decentralized model not only enables more accessible pricing but also enhances the distribution and resilience of AI computing infrastructure.
The introduction of Planck’s layer-0 blockchain reflects a broader convergence of blockchain and AI technologies, where decentralization is becoming a key pillar in the future of AI development. As the demand for computational power escalates, protocols like Planck aim to offer a viable, cost-efficient alternative that supports innovation without being constrained by the traditional centralized paradigms.
