Aptos (APT) has scored a serious deal with tech big Microsoft yesterday. Nonetheless, the announcement of a “partnership” between Aptos Labs and tech big Microsoft has raised eyebrows and ignited debates throughout the crypto neighborhood if that is simply smoke and mirrors. With the APT token witnessing a surge of almost 20% following the information, and a major token unlock looming, the timing and nature of this partnership have come below scrutiny.
Aptos-Microsoft Deal Simply A Click on?
Within the official press launch, Aptos Labs revealed its plans to combine Microsoft’s synthetic intelligence (AI) expertise. The collaboration goals to introduce a spread of instruments and providers, together with the Aptos Assistant chatbot, powered by Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service. The chatbot is designed to help customers with queries concerning the Aptos ecosystem and provide assets to builders crafting sensible contracts and decentralized purposes.
CEO Mo Shaikh commented on the convergence of AI and blockchain, stating, “Synthetic intelligence and blockchain applied sciences are rapidly converging for one vital motive: They’re each generational breakthroughs that profoundly affect the evolution of the web and form society.”
Nonetheless, the partnership’s announcement has not been with out its critics. Famend crypto analyst @DefiSquared, identified for being the top-ranked dealer on Bybit, took to Twitter to specific his skepticism. He identified, “lmao what. Did you guys actually simply pump Aptos 15% on the “information” that it’s paying to make use of Microsoft Azure providers? Looks like an apparent brief on a series that sure, nonetheless has no customers and an $8 bil valuation with an infinite token provide and 100% annual emissions.”
@DefiSquared additional highlighted the timing of the information, simply two days (on Friday) earlier than greater than 4.5 million APT tokens (2% of the circulating provide) can be unlocked, suggesting potential ulterior motives. He additionally shared a screenshot from Microsoft’s web site, indicating the convenience with which entities can be part of the Microsoft AI Cloud accomplice program, sarcastically remarking, “Aptos actually clicked ‘Enroll without charge and turn into a accomplice as we speak’ and added a billion {dollars} to their market cap. Who knew it was that straightforward?”
Aptos actually clicked “Enroll without charge and turn into a accomplice as we speak” and added a billion {dollars} to their market cap. Who knew it was that straightforward? pic.twitter.com/Lt42y4vpB2
— DeFi^2 (@DefiSquared) August 10, 2023
Whereas the partnership guarantees to discover blockchain-based monetary providers, together with asset tokenization and central financial institution digital currencies, the specifics stay obscure. Aptos’ consultant emphasised the collaborative nature of the partnership, stating, “It is a collaboration from day one. Aptos Labs’ crew of AI consultants, Ph.Ds, and Web3 builders are working immediately with Microsoft’s AI crew to coach fashions, combine AI expertise into the Aptos Assistant and GitHub components integrating with Aptos’ blockchain.”
APT Worth Evaluation
Because the crypto neighborhood continues to dissect the nuances of this partnership, the query stays: Is that this a real stride ahead for Aptos, or a well-timed PR transfer to buoy token costs forward of a major unlock for enterprise capitalists (VCs)? Solely time will inform.
At press time, the APT worth stood at $7.27. Thus, APT did not put up a better excessive. The value has already bounced downwards off the resistance at $7.98 and in addition forward of the 200-day EMA in addition to the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement stage.
Featured picture from iStock, chart from TradingView.com
