Ritual launches AI-native Layer 1 blockchain for autonomous agents

Ritual, an autonomous intelligence lab founded by Niraj Pant and Akilesh Potti, has launched Ritual Chain, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain. The network is specifically designed to support autonomous AI agents, enabling them to function as persistent economic actors with their own onchain identities, non-custodial wallets, and private states.

Unlike traditional blockchains focused on financial transactions, Ritual Chain integrates AI model access, private computation, and autonomous scheduling as native capabilities. The network features 15 native precompiles, including LLM inference and web access, and utilizes trusted execution environments to keep sensitive prompts and keys confidential.

The launch follows a public testnet that processed over 40 million transactions since June. Ritual Chain offers sub-300 millisecond block times and includes integrations with Phala Network, Nous Research, LayerZero, and Stargate. The protocol has been audited by Zellic.