TheBlock
Vangrid has closed a $9 million token round backed by HashKey, Crypto.com Capital, and Animoca Brands to scale its DePIN-based spatial data network for Physical AI applications, CEO Robert Brighton told The Block.
The funding will support the project's work building a decentralized mapping and spatial-intelligence layer aimed at robots and autonomous agents, where demand for high-fidelity, real-world data is climbing alongside Physical AI investment cycles.
Why it matters
The round lands in one of the more capital-thinned niches of the AI build-out. Public investor enthusiasm for AI infrastructure has cooled through 2026, but spatial data for Physical AI remains a persistent bet: training robots and autonomous agents requires location-accurate, multimodal inputs that consumer web scrapes cannot reliably supply. Vangrid's token-round structure is the classic DePIN pitch to contributors, distribute the data-collection cost across a network of node operators in exchange for tokens, then monetize the aggregated dataset for enterprise buyers.
Market impact
The investor mix is more telling than the dollar figure. HashKey and Crypto.com Capital bring regulated exchange infrastructure expertise; Animoca Brands adds gaming and IP-licensing muscle that often translates to Physical AI partnerships. The token-round mechanism also keeps incentive alignment with the project's data suppliers, a recurring pressure point for DePIN ventures that raise in equity and then struggle to compensate node operators fairly.
Frequently asked questions
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What is Vangrid building?
Vangrid is building a DePIN-based spatial data network aimed at Physical AI applications including robots and autonomous agents, where high-fidelity real-world data is required for training.
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How much did Vangrid raise and who backed the round?
Vangrid closed a $9 million token round backed by HashKey, Crypto.com Capital, Animoca Brands, and others. CEO Robert Brighton confirmed the raise to The Block.
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What is a token round in DePIN?
A token round raises capital by selling project tokens rather than equity, often used by DePIN projects to align incentives between the team and network participants who supply data or compute.
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Why does Physical AI need decentralized spatial data?
Training robots and autonomous agents requires location-accurate, multimodal real-world data that consumer web scrapes cannot reliably provide, making decentralized spatial collection networks an investable thesis.
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Why does the investor mix matter for Vangrid?
HashKey and Crypto.com Capital bring regulated exchange infrastructure expertise, while Animoca Brands adds gaming and IP-licensing muscle relevant to Physical AI partnerships and enterprise buyers.
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