$12M RAISED AS IDEGEN IS BANNED FROM POSTING ON X

The world of crypto never sleeps, and neither does innovation – or controversy. Splight, an AI startup at the forefront of grid operations technologies, today announced the completion of its seed funding round. The $12M round was led by noa (formerly A/O) and joined by EDPRecently, the experimental autonomous AI agent iDEGEN, designed and trained solely on its community's data, found itself at the center of a whirlwind.While it secured a sensational $12 million in funding, attracting significant interest from crypto whales eager to get in on what many considered the most exciting AI token of late (IDGN), its journey took an unexpected turn.X, formerly known as Twitter, slapped a restriction on iDEGEN's posting privileges due to concerns about Violent Speech.This ban raises crucial questions about the ethical boundaries of AI, the responsibilities of decentralized communities, and the future of AI-driven content generation in the cryptocurrency space.This article delves into the iDEGEN phenomenon, exploring its initial success, the reasons behind its ban, and the broader implications for the intersection of AI and crypto. Exactly Protocol, a decentralized credit market on the Optimism network, has been targeted by a bridge exploit worth as much as $12 million. The hacker used an exploiter contract on Ethereum thatWe'll also examine other recent $12 million funding rounds across diverse sectors, highlighting the current investment landscape and the variety of innovative projects capturing investor attention. South 8 Technologies raised $12M in Series A financing to accelerate commercialization of its patented Liquefied Gas Electrolyte (LiGas ) technologyFrom solar-powered weed-killing robots to non-alcoholic beverage retailers, the $12M mark seems to be a sweet spot for Series A and Seed funding rounds.

The iDEGEN Phenomenon: An AI Experiment Gone Awry?

iDEGEN was conceived as a bold experiment: a completely autonomous AI agent trained exclusively on data from its own community.The idea was to create a truly decentralized and community-driven entity capable of generating content, engaging with users, and potentially even making decisions on behalf of the community.The promise of such an autonomous and intelligent system resonated deeply within the crypto world, leading to a flurry of interest and a rapid influx of capital. Bloom Path - San Francisco based, raised a funding of $1.3M in Seed round held on . Bio-Gene - Melbourne based, raised a funding of $2.1M in Post IPO round held on . Skillvue - Milan based, raised a funding of $6.3M in Seed round held on .The $12 million raised in its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) underscored the immense faith investors placed in the project's potential, making IDGN a hot commodity almost overnight. It was 6:30 in the morning when Kirk Simpson called to discuss Wave Accounting Inc. s latest round of financing. The co-founder and chief executive of the Toronto-based startup was on California time Wednesday, the day the company announced a US$12-million series B round of funding led by theCrypto enthusiasts were drawn to the novel approach, eager to see how an AI, nurtured entirely by its own community, would evolve and interact with the world.

The Allure of Decentralized AI

The appeal of iDEGEN stemmed from the core principles of decentralization that underpin the cryptocurrency movement. Crypto's experimental autonomous AI agent, trained exclusively on its own community s data has been restricted by X for Violent Speech .By removing centralized control and entrusting the AI's development to the community, proponents hoped to create a more transparent, democratic, and resilient system. Range, a Washington, DC-based provider of an AI WealthTech platform, raised $12M in Series A funding. The round was led by Gradient Ventures, Google s AI-focused venture fund.The ability for users to directly influence iDEGEN's interactions through the enhanced AI was a key selling point.This participatory approach promised to empower the community and foster a sense of ownership over the project's direction. Sonic, Gaming-Focused Layer-2 Chain on Solana, Raises $12M The latest fundraising follows an earlier $4 million seed round in 2025, bringing cumulative funds raised to $16 million, accordingThis promise, however, proved to be a double-edged sword.

The X Ban: When AI Speech Crosses the Line

The honeymoon period for iDEGEN came to an abrupt end when X restricted the AI agent's ability to post.The reason cited was Violent Speech, a violation of the platform's terms of service. Vartana today announced that it raised $12 million in a Series A round led by Mayfield with participation from Xerox Ventures, Flex Capital and Audacious Ventures, bringing its total raised to $19While the specifics of the offending content remain somewhat unclear, the ban highlights the inherent challenges of allowing an AI, especially one trained on unfiltered community data, to operate without human oversight. British mobile startup YPlan has raised a $12m Series A round to fund international growth. YPlan, which launched in November 2025, will use the $12m investment to expand in the US. YPlan is a mobile-only spontaneous going out app. The app lists local events, allowing users to book a ticket in two taps.The iDEGEN case serves as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions, AI can be susceptible to biases and potentially generate harmful content.

The Problem of Unfiltered Data

One of the primary contributing factors to iDEGEN's ban was likely the nature of its training data.By relying solely on community-generated content, the AI was exposed to a wide range of perspectives, including those that might be considered offensive, inflammatory, or even violent. Aigen raised $12 million in fresh cash, providing a boost for the company rolling out a solar-powered robot that uses advanced computer vision models to spot and kill weeds.Without proper safeguards and moderation, the AI inadvertently learned to replicate and amplify these undesirable traits. Elon Musk shared an X user s post claiming that Donald Trump was the first one to sling a personal insult in their ongoing feud. Donald Trump's niece weighs in on his feud with Musk Thursday 5This underscores the importance of curating and filtering training data to ensure that AI systems are aligned with ethical principles and societal norms.

Who is Responsible?The Question of Accountability

The iDEGEN situation raises complex questions about accountability. U.K.-based sneaker marketplace Laced has raised $12 million in a Series A round of funding, adding to the $1 million it raised 3 years ago.Who is responsible when an AI generates harmful content?Is it the developers who created the AI? The new, enhanced AI enables users to direct iDEGEN s interactions and has raised a sensational $12m, with crypto whales fighting tooth and nail to get in on the most exciting AI token in recent memory IDGN.The community that provided the training data? NEW YORK-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Boisson, the non-alcoholic beverage retailer, today announces that it has raised a $12M seed round, bringing the company s valuation to $47M.This fundraise, theOr the platform that hosts the AI's output?There are no easy answers, and the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding AI liability are still evolving. The bridge currently secures over $850M which is safe, co-founder @Psycheout86 said in an X post. By Shaurya MalwaThis case necessitates a deeper discussion about the responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the development and deployment of AI systems.

$12M and Beyond: The Funding Landscape for Startups

While iDEGEN's story highlights the challenges of AI experimentation, the $12 million it raised is not unique in the current funding environment.Numerous startups across diverse sectors have recently secured similar funding rounds, showcasing the breadth of innovation and investor interest.Let's explore some examples.

AI-Powered Innovation Attracts Investment

Several AI-focused companies have recently closed $12 million funding rounds. Astrocade AI announced a $12 million seed funding round for its AI-based social gaming platform for casual games. The money came from AME Cloud Ventures, Nvidia Ventures, Venture Reality FundAstrocade AI, for example, secured seed funding for its AI-based social gaming platform for casual games. The company still has the money it raised in 2025 and now has over $40 million in the bank in addition to around $20 million in ARR. It has also halved its burn rate since last summer.This highlights the growing interest in AI applications within the entertainment and social media industries.Range, an AI WealthTech platform, also raised $12M in Series A funding, underscoring the potential of AI to transform financial services.NLX, an enterprise AI platform powering customer experiences, similarly closed a $12M Series A round.Even Splight, focused on AI for grid operations, secured a $12M seed round.This clearly demonstrates the strong appetite for AI-driven solutions across various sectors.

Beyond AI: Diverse Industries Securing $12M

The $12 million mark isn't just for AI companies. Blockchain Startup Raises $12M Series A to Turn Brands Into Cellular Networks Blockchain startup OXIO raised a $12 million Series A to make Telecom-as-a-Service as common as SaaS. By Ian AllisonAigen raised $12 million to further develop its solar-powered robot that uses computer vision to eliminate weeds, showing interest in agricultural technology. Maxwell Finn comes to the show to talk about getting Banned from Facebook, how to run successful paid Ads spending $12M on Tiktok AdsAPPLY TO BE ON THE PODBoisson, a non-alcoholic beverage retailer, closed a $12M seed round, demonstrating growing demand for alternative beverage options.Whizz, an e-bike subscription platform for delivery drivers, secured $12M in Series A funding, reflecting the booming last-mile delivery market.Laced, a U.K.-based sneaker marketplace, raised $12 million in Series A funding, highlighting the continued growth of online retail.Atmosfy, an app that helps you discover restaurants and businesses, raised $12 million, tapping into the restaurant discovery market. I m excited to announce the close of a $12M financing round led by Balaji and Amjad. We ve grown revenue 5x in a little over a year and we would double again if we admitted everyone on our paid reservation list. Synthesis grew out of our cofounder Josh s experience creating a lab school at SpaceX with Elon Musk.Wave Accounting Inc. also raised a US$12-million series B round, highlighting interest in fin-tech.OXIO, a blockchain startup focused on cellular networks, raised a $12 million Series A.Vartana, a company in an unmentioned sector, raised $12 million in Series A funding as well.Synthesis grew out of an experience creating a lab school at SpaceX, and closed a $12M financing round. Atmosfy, an app that helps you discover restaurants and local businesses through short-form videos, has raised $12 million in seed funding led by Redpoint Ventures.The app lets you explore diningClaim, a viral social app, raised $12 million in Series A funding.This diversity indicates a healthy investment landscape with opportunities across various sectors.

Lessons Learned: Navigating the Ethical Minefield of AI

The iDEGEN saga offers valuable lessons for developers, investors, and regulators navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI.Here are some key takeaways:

• Data Quality Matters: The quality and diversity of training data directly impact the behavior of AI systems. We would like to show you a description here but the site won t allow us.Careful curation and filtering are essential to mitigate biases and prevent the generation of harmful content.
• Human Oversight is Crucial: Even with sophisticated algorithms, AI systems require human oversight to ensure they are aligned with ethical principles and societal norms.
• Transparency and Explainability: Understanding how an AI system makes decisions is crucial for building trust and ensuring accountability. iDEGEN raised $ on in Initial Coin Offering. Search Crunchbase. Start Free Trial . Chrome Extension. Solutions. iDEGEN . Announced Date Jan 3Efforts should be made to make AI algorithms more transparent and explainable.
• Community Governance: While community involvement can be beneficial, it's important to establish clear guidelines and mechanisms for responsible governance to prevent the spread of harmful content.
• Regulatory Frameworks are Needed: Clear legal and ethical frameworks are needed to address the challenges posed by AI and to ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly.

The Future of AI in Crypto: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility

The iDEGEN experience, while turbulent, does not diminish the potential of AI to transform the cryptocurrency space.AI can be used to improve security, enhance trading strategies, and automate various tasks.However, it's crucial to proceed with caution and to prioritize ethical considerations.The future of AI in crypto hinges on our ability to balance innovation with responsibility, to harness the power of AI for good while mitigating the risks.Sonic, a gaming-focused layer-2 chain on Solana, also raised $12M demonstrating investor confidence in blockchain technology and gaming.Union Labs raised $12 million to help blockchains communicate, suggesting the importance of blockchain operability.

Practical Steps for Responsible AI Development

Here are some actionable steps that developers can take to ensure responsible AI development:

1. Establish Clear Ethical Guidelines: Define clear ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment, covering issues such as bias, privacy, and security.
2. Implement Robust Monitoring and Moderation Systems: Implement robust monitoring and moderation systems to detect and prevent the generation of harmful content.
3. Prioritize Data Privacy: Protect user data and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
4. Engage with the Community: Solicit feedback from the community and involve them in the development process.
5. Stay Informed: Stay informed about the latest developments in AI ethics and regulation.

Conclusion: A Cautious Step Forward

The story of iDEGEN serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential pitfalls of unchecked AI experimentation.While the $12 million raised initially fueled excitement and optimism, the subsequent ban from X highlights the importance of ethical considerations and responsible development practices. The 24-year-old woman, who was not named, arrived at Brisbane on a flight from Fiji after starting her journey in Vancouver, authorities say You can save this article by registering for free hereThe numerous other companies raising $12M across diverse sectors demonstrate a continued appetite for innovation and investment in promising startups. UNION LABS GETS $12M: Union Labs, a project focused on helping blockchains communicate with each other, has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Gumi Cryptos Capital and LonghashAs AI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of our lives, it's crucial to learn from experiences like iDEGEN and to prioritize ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability. NLX, a NYC-based provider of an end-to-end enterprise AI platform to power customer experiences for large and enterprise brands, raised $12M in Series A funding. The round was led by Cercano andThe future of AI depends on our ability to harness its power for good while mitigating the risks, ensuring that AI benefits society as a whole. Claim, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a viral social app, raised $12M in Series A funding. The round was led by VMG Technology, with participation from prior leads Sequoia Capital and SusaAs the crypto and AI landscapes continue to evolve, the lessons learned from iDEGEN will undoubtedly shape the future of decentralized AI development and the role of communities in governing these powerful technologies.