AI Agents Leveraging Onchain Data for Trust and Transparency
Space and Time, backed by Microsoft, uses its SXT Chain to enable AI agents to query verifiable onchain data, reshaping trust in decentralized systems.
Space and Time: AI Agents Meet Verifiable Onchain Data
Space and Time, a pioneering Web3 company supported by Microsoft’s M12 venture arm, has made significant strides in incorporating AI agents with verifiable onchain data through its SXT Chain. Over the last year, they have expanded their Proof of SQL technology across various sectors, including DeFi and institutional finance. Co-founder and CTO Scott Dykstra explains that the decision to create a purpose-specific chain was to address Ethereum’s need for smart contracts to query verifiable data, rather than compete as a general L1 chain.
The technical backbone of this integration lies in the Proof of SQL technology, which allows Prover nodes to handle queries and generate proofs in under a second. This architecture supports complex queries across diverse workloads, from institutional finance to student records, maintaining performance efficiency. The system functions as an oracle, allowing smart contracts to verify Ethereum data and execute queries.
The implications for the industry are vast. By enabling smart contracts to act as controls for AI agents, Space and Time is setting a precedent in the blockchain world. The company is seeing applications in trading, where smart contracts verify AI agent performance, and in vault management, where queries ensure liquidity and exposure limits are met. Scott Dykstra notes, "Trading onchain with AI agents is still in its infancy, but we're starting to see foundational use cases emerge."
This advancement highlights a critical evolution in trust models within decentralized systems. By integrating AI and blockchain, Space and Time enables a new level of transparency and automation that could redefine financial and operational protocols. The future of 'DataFi' where users earn from data queries seems promising, yet currently, it's on hold due to limited demand for onchain data marketplaces.
REVSTEALER: Disabling Defenses to Run Crypto Miners
Elastic Security Labs has identified four new modules linked to the REVSTEALER malware, which disables critical system defenses like Windows Update and Microsoft Defender to run cryptocurrency miners. These modules—ProManager, WinUpdate, SoftManager, and LockAppHost—remain on infected machines even after REVSTEALER deletes itself.
Technically, LockAppHost is the most disruptive, exploiting the Windows CMSTP tool to gain administrator rights. It subsequently disables multiple security services and hides the miner within legitimate processes. The core stealer exfiltrates sensitive data, such as browser passwords and cryptocurrency wallets, and deletes itself after reporting back to its server.
The significance of these findings is alarming, especially given the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency mining. REVSTEALER's ability to evade detection by deleting itself makes it exceptionally challenging to trace and remove. Elastic's analysis suggests that this represents a new frontier in malware design, where the focus is not only on data theft but also on resource hijacking for financial gain.
This development underscores the need for more robust security measures and vigilance in software design and deployment. As AI and machine learning become increasingly integrated into cybersecurity, the challenge will be to anticipate and counteract such sophisticated threats. In a world where digital assets are as valuable as physical ones, securing these resources is paramount.
The Data Center Boom and Its Thirst for Water
The rapid expansion of AI and data centers is putting unprecedented pressure on small-town water resources. Across the United States, towns hosting these centers face significant water challenges, such as a leak in Oklahoma wasting millions of gallons and a bacterial contamination issue in Wyoming tied to construction runoff.
Technologically, data centers rely heavily on water for cooling systems. In El Reno, Oklahoma, a Bitcoin mining site used both air and water cooling, leading to a massive leak that closed schools and businesses. In Wyoming, Meta’s data center construction released over 800,000 gallons of wastewater, posing challenges for local water treatment facilities.
The implications are significant for local communities and the tech industry. Data centers often become focal points for environmental and resource management debates. As AI continues to grow, driven by data demand, the sustainability of these operations is increasingly scrutinized. Chris Johnson of the American Energy Leadership Institute warns against overreaction but emphasizes the need for accountability.
This scenario prompts a broader discussion about the sustainability of tech infrastructure. As technology advances, so must our strategies for integrating it harmoniously with local ecosystems. The challenge lies in balancing innovation with environmental stewardship, ensuring that tech progress does not come at the expense of vital natural resources.