OpenLedger (OPEN): AI Blockchain for Data Attribution and Model Monetization

OpenLedger is a blockchain-powered platform that solves transparency, attribution, and fair compensation issues in AI development by enabling the monetization and decentralized use of data, models, and AI agents. Founded by Pryce Adade-Yebesi, Ashtyn Bell, and Ram Kumar in 2024, this platform has raised $8M from Polychain Capital and Borderless Capital to create the first AI blockchain with Proof of Attribution. OpenLedger (OPEN) will soon be available on Bitget!

What is OpenLedger (OPEN)?

OpenLedger is the "AI Blockchain," unlocking liquidity and new monetization pathways for data, models, and agents through decentralized infrastructure and novel mechanisms like Proof of Attribution. It serves as a foundation for trusted AI, empowering developers, data providers, and users to collaborate and transact with verified contributions.

The platform addresses critical challenges in AI development including lack of transparency where contributors are unaware of how their work is used and are not rewarded appropriately, centralization of power where large corporations dominate AI development through proprietary systems, and attribution issues where there is no fair compensation for data creators and model trainers.

Core Innovation: OpenLedger acts as a decentralized trust infrastructure, allowing users to create and monetize specialized language models while validating outputs using collective intelligence. The platform's Proof of Attribution technology tracks all contributions and rewards participants fairly through "Payable AI" models, removing intermediaries and enabling collective innovation.

Who Created OpenLedger (OPEN)?

OpenLedger was founded in 2024 by Pryce Adade-Yebesi, Ashtyn Bell, and Ram Kumar with extensive experience in blockchain, AI, and enterprise systems.

Pryce Adade-Yebesi (CEO & Co-Founder):

● Previously co-founded and led product at Utopia Labs (sold to Coinbase), specializing in crypto-based invoicing and financial automation

● Entrepreneur-in-residence at Washington University in St. Louis, active in startup mentoring and product innovation

● Drives vision, product direction, and partnership strategy for OpenLedger

Ashtyn Bell (COO & Co-Founder):

● Former Head of Product & Crypto at Candy Digital and advisor to Utopia Labs

● Founded multiple startups: Greenbook and ArdhiView, with deep expertise in AI/ML, product management, and blockchain protocols

● Leads operations, product development, and organizational strategy

Ram Kumar (Co-Founder, Chief Economic Architect):

● Pioneer of "Payable AI" and decentralized attribution models

● Background in large-scale enterprise account management for Fortune 500 clients (Walmart, Sony, GSK)

● Oversees ecosystem funding, strategic partnerships, and regulatory relations

Key Team Members:

● Raj Thaker - Lead Engineer with AI and blockchain development experience tied to the Skandalaris Center startup community at WashU

The team includes advisors like Guy Friedman (SteadyMD CEO), Doug Villard (entrepreneurship professor, WashU), Zach Abrams (ex-Bridge/Stripe), and Kanyi Maqubela (Kindred Ventures).

What VCs Back OpenLedger (OPEN)?

OpenLedger has raised over $8 million in its seed round from prominent VCs and industry leaders, with additional funding committed for infrastructure expansion.

Source: cryptobriefing

Funding Rounds:

● Seed Round (July 2024): $8 million led by Polychain Capital and Borderless Capital

Major Venture Capital Backers:

● Polychain Capital (Seed round lead investor)

● Borderless Capital (Seed round co-lead)

● HashKey Capital

● Finality Capital

● Hash3

Notable Angel Investors:

● Sreeram Kannan (EigenLabs founder)

● Balaji Srinivasan (ex-Coinbase CTO)

● Sandeep Nailwal (Polygon co-founder)

● Kenny Li (Manta)

● Scott Moore (Gitcoin)

● Sebastien Borget (Sandbox co-founder)

● Chainyoda

The diverse investor portfolio positions OpenLedger as a well-capitalized leader at the intersection of Web3 and AI infrastructure.

How OpenLedger (OPEN) Works

OpenLedger operates through several key technologies that make AI transparent, fair, and collaborative for everyone:

Proof of Attribution Protocol

Every dataset, model training, and AI output is tracked, credited, and rewarded on-chain. Data contributors receive payment each time their data is used, and the origin of every model decision is auditable, solving the "black box" problem of traditional AI.

Datanets: Community-Curated Data Networks

Datanets are specialized networks focused on topics like finance, medicine, or Web3 that curate and clean data specifically for training advanced AI models. These networks feature transparent governance, contributor tracking, and validation processes managed on OpenLedger's blockchain.

Payable AI Economy

OpenLedger pioneered a "Payable AI" model where contributors are paid not just once, but every time their data or models are used in real-world applications. This creates a recurring SaaS-style economy around data, attracting high-quality data for ongoing AI innovation.

EVM-Compatible Layer 2 Infrastructure

Built with OP Stack and EigenDA, OpenLedger combines Ethereum's security, low transaction costs, and flexible smart contract functionality optimized for AI and data applications. Smart contracts can incorporate AI logic for real-time fraud detection, compliance, and automated business flows.

Model Factory & No-Code Tools

A drag-and-drop graphical interface allows users to upload, train, and deploy AI models and agents without programming requirements. Users can create specialized language models, AI agents, and chatbots through simple dashboard interactions.

You can access the platform at openledger.xyz and explore comprehensive documentation at docs.openledger.com .

OpenLedger Token (OPEN) and Economics

The OPEN token serves as the native utility and governance token for the OpenLedger AI blockchain, powering gas fees, rewards, staking, and incentive payments across its data/model attribution infrastructure.

Token Details

● Token Name: OpenLedger

● Token Symbol: OPEN

● Total Supply: 1,000,000,000 OPEN (1 billion tokens)

● Blockchain Deployment: EVM-compatible Layer 2 OP Stack (main), Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Solana

● Contract Addresses:

○ Ethereum & BNB Smart Chain: 0xa227cc36938f0c9e09ce0e64dfab226cad739447

○ Solana: FqpVydAZgjc9yDtYvtJ7ewekdBctU7ioGSbv7muNgBgJ

Token Distribution

● Community: 51.7% (testnet participants, validators, builder grants, block rewards, events, airdrops)

● Investors: 18.29% (private/seed rounds, VCs and strategic backers, 12m cliff + 36m vest)

● Team & Advisors: 15% (core team, future hiring, advisors, 12m cliff + 36m vest)

● Ecosystem Growth: 10% (strategic partnerships, product expansion, platform development)

● Strategic Reserve: 5% (treasury, governance, liquidity, emergency funds)

Token Utilities

● Gas & Transaction Fees: OPEN is required for all transactions including data uploads, model training, and AI queries on the OpenLedger blockchain

● Attribution Rewards: Contributors earn OPEN whenever their data, models, or AI agents are used, facilitated by the proof of attribution system

● AI Agent Staking: Developers stake OPEN to launch AI agents and maintain service quality, with poor-performing agents losing staked tokens

● Governance: Token holders vote on model funding, upgrades, ecosystem direction, fee settings, and attribution parameters

● Inference Payments: Pay for on-chain AI model outputs, validation, and fine-tuning on a pay-per-use basis

● Cross-Chain Bridge: OPEN enables bridging assets and interoperability between Layer 1 networks and OpenLedger's Layer 2

Why OpenLedger?

Traditional AI development faces critical challenges around transparency, attribution, and fair compensation that OpenLedger addresses with breakthrough innovations:

Proven Leadership: Founded by entrepreneurs with successful exits including Utopia Labs (acquired by Coinbase), combining expertise in crypto, AI, and enterprise product development with strong startup track records.

Strong Investor Validation: $8M raised from leading investors including Polychain Capital, Borderless Capital, HashKey Capital, and prominent angels like Balaji Srinivasan and Sandeep Nailwal demonstrates institutional confidence.

Technical Innovation: First blockchain with Proof of Attribution technology that tracks every data contribution and AI model usage, ensuring transparent rewards and solving the "black box" problem in AI development.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with Aethir for decentralized GPU infrastructure, io.net for compute resources, Ether.fi for restaking security, and Trust Wallet for AI-powered wallet interfaces.

Live Ecosystem: Already operational with Model Factory, Datanets, node applications, and developer tools generating real activity and demonstrating practical utility beyond speculation.

Community-Focused Tokenomics: Over 50% of tokens allocated to community rewards, builders, and ecosystem growth with transparent vesting schedules aligning long-term incentives.

The platform successfully bridges AI development with blockchain technology, creating new opportunities for transparent attribution, collaborative model building, and fair compensation in the AI economy.

OpenLedger (OPEN) Goes Live on Bitget

We are thrilled to announce that OpenLedger (OPEN) will be listed in the Innovation and AI Zone. Check out the details below:

Trading Available: 8 September 2025, 13:00 (UTC)

Trade OPEN/USDT on Bitget!

Contract Address (Ethereum): 0xa227cc36938f0c9e09ce0e64dfab226cad739447

Community Links: Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | Documentation

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute an endorsement of any of the products and services discussed or investment, financial, or trading advice. Qualified professionals should be consulted prior to making financial decisions.