GenLayer launches Asimov, its first incentivized testnet for AI-powered blockchain
GenLayer, a startup creating decentralized legal infrastructure for AI and machine agents, has rolled out its first incentivized testnet called Asimov. This is the company’s initial step toward mainnet deployment.
Asimov introduces what GenLayer calls the first Intelligent Blockchain. Unlike traditional blockchains, it uses AI models to handle subjective decisions usually impossible for deterministic systems. 
GenLayer CEO Albert Castellana said:
“Our narrative is that as we enter a world of AI agents—fast and smart—we need a new legal system because the current one is fragmented, slow, and expensive.”
GenLayer “offers a synthetic jurisdiction: a legal system for machines.”
Asimov is the first of three testnets — followed by Bradbury and Clark — designed to test GenLayer’s “Optimistic Democracy” consensus. Validators work with large language models (LLMs) to evaluate off-chain data and make decisions on things like contract fulfillment or campaign compliance.
The testnet targets professional blockchain operators as validators who will be rewarded for testing. GenLayer has onboarded dozens already. Developers get a full toolkit: GenLayer Studio, Wallet, Blockchain Explorer, and a Python SDK — plus grants to build ahead of mainnet.
Alongside Asimov, GenLayer launched Rally—a decentralized marketing protocol in beta. Rally automates influencer campaigns by using AI validators to check social posts against campaign rules embedded in smart contracts.
Castellana explained:
“Rally is our first protocol built on GenLayer.”
“It autonomously evaluates community-created content and determines compensation, opening participation beyond influencers to anyone.”
Brands set guidelines and fund campaigns. The protocol handles payouts transparently and on-chain, cutting down on manual disputes and delays.
Rally will eventually be DAO-governed. A small fee from campaigns supports the DAO and app developers. GenLayer calls its platform “a toy factory” for new tools, with Rally just a start.
The startup has $7.5 million in seed funding from North Island Ventures, Arrington Capital, ZK Ventures, and Maelstrom. Partners include ZKSync, Heurist, Atoma Network, and Caldera for scalability, privacy, and decentralized AI hosting.
Next steps: Bradbury and Clark testnets will add advanced LLM tuning and autonomous operations. GenLayer plans a full mainnet launch later this year and is recruiting validators and developers now.
GenLayer’s Asimov testnet aims to build the legal and operational backbone for the AI economy — letting machines make and enforce rules at speed with transparency and scale.
Apply to join at genlayer.com.
