Everyone's an AI Company Now? The Harsh Reality of Markets in 2025

This episode dives into the current dismal market sentiment, particularly within crypto circles, juxtaposed against the unstoppable integration of AI across industries and the resulting investment puzzle.

The Ubiquitous AI Layer

• "AI is very valuable. AI is going to be in everything."
• "No one even really has like license to say they are the AI company. Like every company is an AI company on some level now. Everybody is integrating this stuff."
• AI's integration is becoming so widespread that claiming to be the "AI company" is losing its distinction; it's becoming a fundamental operational layer.
• The inherent value of AI is broadly recognized, driving universal adoption efforts across businesses of all types.

Rock Bottom Sentiment & Looming Uncertainty

• "But generally I think the sentiment on CT [Crypto Twitter] has probably not been worse since I've been around at least. It's pretty bad."
• "I think uh it could definitely get worse from here. We should probably brace for that reality."
• Market sentiment, especially observed on Crypto Twitter, has hit a significant low, fueled by negative events and personalities (like SBF's recent activity).
• Significant uncertainty clouds the market, driven by macroeconomic factors, with a palpable expectation that conditions could deteriorate further.

The AI Investment Exposure Gap

• "You know I think the market is looking for like well how do I get exposure like I can't just buy Anthropic or OpenAI stocks till I kind of get exposure to this."
• Investors are actively seeking ways to gain financial exposure to the AI boom, acknowledging its transformative potential.
• A major hurdle exists: key AI players like OpenAI and Anthropic are private, leaving investors without direct stock market access to the perceived leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• Market participants are grappling with historically poor sentiment and macroeconomic headwinds, suggesting a need to brace for continued volatility. Simultaneously, AI's pervasive integration makes it a universal tool rather than a niche sector, complicating direct investment strategies.
• Market Sentiment is Dire: Pessimism, especially in crypto-adjacent communities, is at an all-time low, with expectations leaning towards further worsening.
• Everyone's an AI Company: AI is becoming table stakes; its value lies in application across businesses, not in claiming the AI label itself.
• AI Exposure Remains Elusive: Investors struggle to directly access leading AI innovators like OpenAI and Anthropic through public markets, creating a search for alternative investment avenues.

For further insights and detailed discussions, watch the full episode: Link