Investing in TAO Subnets Is Like Buying Amazon in ’97

Investing in TAO subnets is like buying Amazon in 1997. Analysts and community members use this analogy to describe the opportunity within the Bittensor ecosystem. Just as Amazon began as a small bookstore before becoming a global infrastructure leader, Bittensor subnets are early-stage networks with the potential to form the backbone of decentralized AI.

Why the Amazon Comparison Works

When Amazon went public in 1997, few predicted it would redefine commerce and cloud computing. Its investors were betting on long-term transformation rather than short-term gains.

Bittensor subnets are at a similar stage. They are experimental yet promising, offering a permissionless structure where developers, validators, and delegators contribute to a growing intelligence marketplace. Reports from OAK Research highlight how emissions and incentives reward utility, creating natural momentum.

TAO Subnets Driving Growth Today

Some subnets already demonstrate practical applications:

• Ridges (SN62): Building coding agents that outperform centralized labs. See our feature on Ridges, MANTIS, and Affine.
• Chutes (SN64): Processing billions of tokens and enabling developers to add AI cheaply and quickly.
• Masa (SN42): Delivering real-time social data to autonomous agents.

Each project represents a different vertical, from coding to SaaS to data feeds, proving that subnets can generate value beyond theory.

Risks That Resemble the Dot-Com Era

The analogy also highlights caution. Many early dot-com startups failed before Amazon emerged as a clear winner. Similarly, not every subnet will achieve long-term success.

Investors on Reddit warn that some subnet tokens launch with little liquidity or emissions, leaving early entrants exposed to losses. Researching roadmaps, adoption metrics, and team credibility is essential before allocating capital.

Outlook for TAO Subnets Investing

The Amazon comparison underscores the scale of the opportunity. Like early internet stocks, TAO subnets are speculative but potentially transformative. They combine open participation, performance-based incentives, and growing developer traction. For investors willing to embrace calculated risk, investing in TAO subnets like Amazon in 1997 could mean exposure to the next wave of global AI infrastructure.

For cultural context, see the Bittensor moral epiphany vlog, which explores how permissionless work gives participants a sense of ethical purpose beyond financial returns.