Pharos Network, a financial and AI Layer-1 blockchain, has announced that its native token $PROS and USDC will serve as the exclusive cryptocurrency payment methods on its new Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform. The platform, powered by ZAN, supports x402 payments and Skills, enabling developers to access top-tier AI models cost-effectively.
Expanding $PROS Utility
This integration marks a significant expansion of $PROS utility, positioning it as a RealFi payment tool and a core value medium for AI-integrated decentralized applications (dApps). Developers in the Pharos ecosystem can now use $PROS to directly access leading Large Language Models (LLMs) such as Gemini, Claude, Qwen, DeepSeek, and ChatGPT. This opens new design possibilities for embedding advanced AI capabilities into dApps across DeFi, gaming, and social platforms at substantially lower costs.
Competitive Edge and Incentives
By offering $PROS as a crypto settlement option, Pharos provides a distinct competitive advantage for its ecosystem. This creates a strong incentive for projects to build or migrate to Pharos for native access to world-class AI resources. Additionally, users who pay with $PROS receive an exclusive 20% discount during the launch month, fostering a direct, rigid, and sustainable demand cycle for the token.
Bridging Web2 and Web3
Wish Wu, Co-founder and CEO of Pharos, emphasized that this integration not only opens a new payment channel and use case for $PROS but also explores the potential of premier AI models for the entire ecosystem. He noted that this move highlights Pharos's capability to bridge Web2 resources with the decentralized future, connecting TradFi and Web3 worlds.
Broader Ecosystem Context
This development aligns with Pharos's broader strategy to expand $PROS use cases into high-value domains like AI. The network recently launched an onchain private credit vault targeting 14.3% yield for broader investor access, as reported by TheInvestFeed. Such initiatives solidify Pharos's position as a go-to Layer-1 for building real-world applications.
Market Implications
The integration of $PROS and USDC for AI model payments could drive long-term demand for the token, binding its value to real-world AI business scenarios. As the AI sector continues to grow, this move positions Pharos to capture a share of the expanding market for decentralized AI services. For context, stablecoins now dominate 73% of European crypto card payments, shifting from trading to everyday use, as noted in a recent TheInvestFeed report.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
