YZi Labs Invests in Crypto-AI Startup Vana, CZ Joins as Advisor

Investment Strengthens AI and Blockchain SynergyYZi Labs, formerly known as Binance Labs, has made a strategic investment in Vana, a crypto-AI startup focused on data ownership and decentralization. As part of the deal, Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao has joined Vana as an advisor, reinforcing his continued presence in the Web3 and AI sectors.The investment, which closed in January 2025, marks YZi Labs' first AI-focused investment since its rebranding last month. Vana co-founder Anna Kazlauskas confirmed that YZi Labs is the sole investor in this round, though she declined to disclose the financial details or valuation changes.Vana’s Vision: Decentralized AI and Data OwnershipFounded in 2021, Vana aims to revolutionize AI by enabling users to own and monetize their data. Its Layer 1 blockchain allows contributors to pool data into Data DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), where they can earn rewards and retain ownership over AI models trained with their data.“Data DAOs are central to Vana’s mission of user-owned AI,” Kazlauskas explained. “They give users control over their data, allowing for aggregation around specific use cases that can then be monetized for AI development.”Vana launched its mainnet and token in December 2024, with VANA currently trading at $6.25, down 82% since launch. Despite this, the project holds a market cap of $192 million and a fully diluted valuation of $747 million, according to The Block.