Bittensor's Volatile Moves Continue. Here's Why This Token Is Down More Than 16% Today.

Much ado has been made of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the so-called AI stocks that have enabled a new technological wave to be pushed forward. Most of us are looking forward to a future in which enhanced efficiency may lead to even better productivity throughout the economy, though views around how AI may impact employment and other key factors are outstanding questions we'll have to figure out over time.

That said, the AI revolution isn't only happening in the equities market. Key cryptocurrencies such as decentralized and open-source AI blockchain platform Bittensor (CRYPTO: TAO) have clearly been rocketing higher as sentiment around this sector continues.

Today, that's not so much the case, with Bittensor's native TAO token declining 16.6% over the past 24 hours as of 2 p.m. ET. Here's the key reason why investors appear to be shifting their view when it comes to Bittensor's investment thesis today.

What's driving Bittensor lower today?

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Sentiment appears to be shifting in the crypto space, and perhaps few tokens represent the sort of volatility we've seen in this sector over the past week as Bittensor.

Earlier this week, Bittensor ripped higher on news that the open-source machine learning and AI blockchain network would undertake its first halving. Coinciding with this news, other headlines around the first-ever staked Bittensor exchange-traded product (ETP) being launched in Europe sent TAO tokens surging even more.

However, a broader market sell-off that has ensued over the past few days appears to be pouring cold water on these catalysts. One of the few tokens to see price appreciation of late, it stands to reason that investors who successfully played this week's price action heading into today's session may be looking to take some profits off the table.

As growth stocks and other higher-risk asset classes sell off as recession concerns pick up, crypto investors also have their own set of headwinds to contend with. Whether that's a large-scale DeFi hack that resulted in losses of more than $100 million, or simply valuation concerns around various tokens like Bittensor that have shot to the moon of late, investors are clearly taking a more cautious approach to this sector.

Is Bittensor a buy?

I don't blame investors for looking to take some cream off the top and wait for the next momentum rally. Historically, that's a strategy that has benefited those with the patience and ability to do so. Today, that's what appears to be moving the needle for Bittensor (which has now turned negative on the week, down around 10% at the time of writing).

Chris MacDonald has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bittensor. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.