Since the beginning of this year, VIRTUAL, a protocol that allows users to create and own AI agents, has soared 70%. While the buzz around AI agents has cooled down, the soaring price of VIRTUAL has brought renewed attention to the project.
What are the factors driving this rise?What do analysts think about VIRTUAL’s outlook for 2026?
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Why are so many analysts positive about virtualization in 2026?
Recently, the project introduced three new agent launch mechanisms: Pegasus, Unicorn, and Titan.
This move represents a notable and bold overhaul. Virtual has abandoned a single, unified token activation mechanism and replaced it with differentiated models tailored to specific use cases.
These mechanisms aim to optimize the development and deployment of AI agents on blockchain networks. Each model fits different stages of project growth, from experimentation to expansion.
Pegasus (Early Distribution and Testing): Designed for builders who want to launch quickly and validate market demand. Unicorn (Trust, Capital, Accountability): Built for builders looking to raise money with transparency. Titan (Large Launch with a Reputable Team): For projects with existing products, support, or actual deployment.
This launch framework gives investors further reason to maintain confidence in VIRTUAL. The token had previously fallen over 75% at its lowest point.
Another factor supporting the recovery is Virtuals Ventures’ strategic investment in PredictBase.
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This partnership creates significant opportunities for AI agents on VIRTUAL to interact with PredictBase. Use cases include participating in predictions, executing automated trading strategies, and optimizing liquidity.
This move is especially important given that experts predict a boom in prediction markets in 2026.
Furthermore, the long-term promotion of VIRTUAL could come from the x402 trend. x402 is an emerging micropayment protocol that gained attention late last year.
According to Layergg on X’s analysis, x402 is roughly in line with the era of AI agents. This protocol allows autonomous agents to make small payments for services such as shopping, market prediction, and even robotics.
Virtualization plays a key role in this trend. This project serves as both a launchpad for AI agents and a platform that supports x402-based payments.
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Analyst 0xJeff said: “Launchpad acted like a leveraged beta. AI agents are waking up again. x402 is still in its early stages, but it’s clearly being bid on.”
VIRTUAL’s rebound is not isolated. This is part of a broader recovery across AI-related tokens. For example, RENDER is up 80% over the past seven days, and Alliance for Artificial Superintelligence (FET) is up over 45% over the same period.
Retail investors are likely to prioritize the AI sector in early 2026.
On-chain data still shows no obvious improvement
Despite these expectations, the outlook remains speculative. VIRTUAL’s price recovery has not been accompanied by a resurgence of new token creation on the platform.
According to data from sources such as Dune Analytics, only a small number of tokens will be launched each day in early 2026. Only one or two tokens are activated each day.
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Furthermore, the tokens launched on the platform failed to generate the same traction and visibility as certain meme tokens on Pump.fun.
Furthermore, the amount of VIRTUAL staking has decreased since the middle of last year from more than 40 million to currently 25.8 million.
Staking VIRTUAL allows holders to earn rewards by remaining continuously involved in ecosystem activities. However, wagering levels have yet to show any signs of recovery.
Without a clear recovery in real demand, virtual price increases may be difficult to sustain in the long term. In that case, optimistic predictions would be nothing more than hype.
