Tether Launches QVAC, a Decentralized Platform for AI Agents

Tether has unveiled QVAC (QuantumVerse Automatic Computer), a new platform designed to power the creation and evolution of decentralized AI agents that run directly on user devices—from smartphones to embedded systems. 

QVAC enables AI models to run without relying on large data centers or cloud providers. According to Tether, this decentralized approach enhances security, privacy, and system resilience by removing single points of failure.

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino described QVAC as an “infinite intelligence platform,” adding that its architecture supports trillions of autonomous agents capable of performing computations and transacting in Bitcoin and USDT. 

Concept and Architecture

The name QVAC is a nod to Isaac Asimov’s short story The Last Question, where the supercomputer Multivac evolves into a godlike entity capable of reversing entropy. Tether envisions its platform as the next step toward decentralized intelligence, natively embedded in users’ operating systems.

Built on a modular architecture, QVAC allows developers to combine lightweight, functional components that interact through a peer-to-peer network. This setup enables AI agents to share data and knowledge without centralized servers, boosting resilience against failures and cyberattacks.

Moreover, QVAC integrates autonomous payments through Tether’s WDK (Wallet Development Kit), enabling AI agents to transact in Bitcoin and USDT. This capability facilitates the creation of self-sustaining, interoperable ecosystems that can operate even without internet access.

Artificial intelligence should empower the next wave of growth for society and humanity, not delegate even more control to corporations that own servers and access keys,

Paolo Ardoino said. 

He emphasized that QVAC aims to make AI private and sovereign, returning control over data back to users.

Related: Paolo Ardoino Announces Tether AI Platform with Crypto Payment Support

Roadmap, Outlook, and Challenges

The first QVAC-powered apps are set to launch soon, with a full platform release expected in Q3 2025. 

Among the initial utilities announced: 

• QVAC/Translate for on-device transcription and translation of text, images, and audio
• QVAC/Health for monitoring health metrics without sending sensitive data to the cloud 

Tether also plans to open-source the SDK, aiming to bring developers into the fold and accelerate innovation.

However, it’s worth noting potential risks: 

• Malicious actors could tamper with autonomous agents to initiate transactions without the knowledge of users or developers. 
• Some models may still require optimization, similar to the case of China’s DeepSeek, which proved that large models can run locally, though with performance trade-offs.

QVAC enters a growing movement toward decentralized AI, backed by some startups and research groups aiming to challenge the dominance of Google, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI in the intelligent services space.

If you need an API key to use your AI, it isn’t truly yours,

Ardoino added, underscoring Tether’s mission to reduce reliance on third-party services. 

If successful, QVAC could become a major catalyst in the global debate over redistributing power in the AI industry.

Related: Hedera Introduces AI Studio to Anchor Intelligent Agents on Decentralized Infrastructure