Virtuals Protocol has launched its autonomous agent platform on the Ethereum mainnet, allowing decentralised AI agents to operate directly within Ethereum’s smart contract ecosystem. The system enables these agents to perform on-chain actions, respond to external data, and coordinate with other contracts independently of centralised control.

The launch was acknowledged by Ethereum.org on June 9, with a post stating “Ethereum is for AI,” signaling Ethereum’s increasing involvement in blockchain-based artificial intelligence systems.

As part of this deployment, Virtuals Protocol is set to introduced I.R.I.S, developed by Nethermind—a long-standing Ethereum software and R&D firm—and is the first Virtuals agent built specifically for Ethereum Layer 1.

What is I.R.I.S?

I.R.I.S. is a Virtual Agent deployed on Ethereum and powered by AuditAgent, an experimental platform developed by Nethermind for automated smart contract security analysis.

Unlike traditional agents limited to on-chain data, I.R.I.S. operates across both on-chain and social channels. It is designed to meet developers where they work—scanning conversations, analysing code snippets, and surfacing security issues in real time. This includes monitoring developer activity on public platforms to detect vulnerabilities or trends as they emerge.

The agent was built using Nethermind’s internal research and data. Whilst Nethermind created the underlying platform, the I.R.I.S. agent is owned and operated by Virtuals Protocol, which manages its token model, deployment, and integration within the wider ecosystem.

How is the IRIS token being distributed?

I.R.I.S. is launching alongside a native token, also called IRIS, via the Genesis Launch system. This points-based mechanism rewards users who previously staked or interacted with Virtuals Protocol components. Participants earned “Virgen Points,” pledged them during a 24-hour window, and locked $VIRTUAL tokens to claim their allocation.

No tokens were pre-allocated to the team or investors. Half of the IRIS supply is distributed to the Ethereum community under individual caps to reduce concentration. The other half supports developer incentives and the ecosystem treasury, with enforced vesting schedules governed by smart contracts.

At the token generation event, a native IRIS/ETH liquidity pool will go live on Ethereum mainnet, enabling immediate trading.

How to participate in the token launch?

Participation in the Genesis Launch begins by pledging Virgen Points, which determines a participant’s estimated token allocation, up to a maximum of 0.5% of the total supply. The final allocation is calculated proportionally based on all points pledged. If the launch succeeds, only the points needed for the user’s allocation are burned; the remainder is refunded.

Next, users must commit up to 566 $VIRTUAL tokens, which serve as the settlement asset for the purchase. If the event is oversubscribed, users receive a reduced token amount, and any excess $VIRTUAL is returned.

Once the Genesis Launch completes successfully, users can visit the Agent page to claim their IRIS tokens. If the launch fails, all points and tokens are refunded.

Virtuals Protocol, which was previously launched on the Base blockchain, has now expanded to Solana to empower Virtuals Nation builders and further drive agentic innovation across multiple ecosystems.

The platform, which allows users to create, trade, and manage digital AI agents, is now leveraging Solana’s fast and cost-efficient network to scale its offerings.

Whilst previous projects on Solana, many of which have relied on platforms like Pump.fun—typically associated with memecoins—Virtuals Protocol introduces a more advanced use case for the blockchain, bringing AI technology into the ecosystem.

What is Virtuals Protocol?

Virtuals Protocol is a platform that enables the creation and management of AI-powered agents, referred to as Virtuals. The protocol combines the capabilities of artificial intelligence with the decentralisation of blockchain, allowing users to build, trade, and interact with AI agents in a secure and transparent manner.

Virtuals Protocol aims to empower users by providing the tools needed to create their own AI agents, whether for personal or business use. By bridging the gap between AI and blockchain, the protocol is fostering a new era of digital assets and decentralised applications.

Virtuals offers a versatile toolset for developing agents, making it an essential platform for anyone looking to explore the potential of AI within the context of blockchain.

What this means to the Solana ecosystem?

The expansion of Virtuals Protocol to Solana represents a shift in the types of projects making their way to the network.

Whilst many projects on Solana have often focused on novelty tokens or memecoins, Virtuals brings a more practical and long-term utility to the network. Solana’s fast transaction speeds and low costs create an ideal environment for the protocol to scale, making it easier for users to trade, create, and manage AI agents on a larger scale.

With Virtuals now available on Solana, the network is set to see increased adoption of decentralised AI applications, attracting new developers, creators, and users interested in the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence.