Unlimit Founder Invests $45M in Phase Blockchain as Mainnet Launches

Phase, a new layer-1 blockchain, has secured a $45 million investment from Unlimit founder Kirill Eves as its mainnet goes live. The network introduces a novel incentive model: smartphone users can earn tokens by validating transactions and sharing their internet connections with AI agents. This approach aims to democratize blockchain participation, moving beyond traditional mining or staking that often requires expensive hardware or large capital. By leveraging the ubiquity of mobile devices, Phase could onboard millions of users who previously found crypto inaccessible. The involvement of Eves, a prominent figure in fintech, lends credibility and suggests strategic synergies with Unlimit's payment infrastructure. As AI agents increasingly require decentralized connectivity and computation, Phase positions itself at the intersection of two major trends. The mainnet launch marks a critical test of whether consumer-friendly token rewards can drive real network adoption, with potential ripple effects across the industry. If successful, Phase could set a new standard for mobile-first blockchain ecosystems, challenging incumbents and reshaping how value is distributed in the digital economy.