# Together AI Taps Blockchain for Cheaper AI

_Together AI and Pearl Research Labs are integrating blockchain to cut AI inference costs, offering discounted model access subsidized by cryptocurrency mining._

**Updated:** 2026-08-22
**Published:** 2026-05-15
**Source:** https://www.startuphub.ai/ai-news/technology/2026/together-ai-taps-blockchain-for-cheaper-ai

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Together AI is teaming up with Pearl Research Labs, the creators of the Pearl Network, in a strategic move to significantly reduce the cost of AI inference. This partnership aims to integrate blockchain technology, specifically Pearl's 'Proof of Useful Work' protocol, directly into AI computation.

High AI Inference CostsDriverAI computation is expensive and needs cost reduction strategiesFrom the article 2 mentionsTogether AI is teaming up with Pearl Research Labs, the creators of the Pearl Network, in a strategic move to significantly reduce the cost of AI inference.tacklesTogether AI & PearlCorePartnership to integrate blockchain into AI computationFrom the article 9+ mentionsTogether AI is teaming up with Pearl Research Labs, the creators of the Pearl Network, in a strategic move to significantly reduce the cost of AI inference.usesPearl's Proof of WorkCoreLeverages GPU compute for AI to mine cryptoFrom the articleThis partnership aims to integrate blockchain technology, specifically Pearl's 'Proof of Useful Work' protocol, directly into AI computation.enablesOffsetting Compute CostsContextFrom the articleThis means every GPU cycle dedicated to AI workloads simultaneously contributes to securing the blockchain and mining new digital assets, effectively offsetting compute costs without additional expense.leading toCheaper AI InferenceEffectDiscounted model access subsidized by crypto emissionsFrom the article 6 mentionsThe core innovation lies in Pearl's ability to generate its native cryptocurrency, ¶PRL coin, by leveraging the computational power used for AI training and inference.viaGemma-4-31B-it-pearlOutcomeFrom the articleAs a first product of this collaboration, Together AI is launching a discounted inference endpoint for the instruction-tuned Gemma-4-31B-it-pearl model.offeringOver 25% DiscountOutcomeSignificant savings on AI model accessFrom the articleThis endpoint offers over a 25% discount, with the savings underwritten by the future value of crypto emissions generated through the Pearl Network.

The core innovation lies in Pearl's ability to generate its native cryptocurrency, ¶PRL coin, by leveraging the computational power used for AI training and inference. This means every GPU cycle dedicated to AI workloads simultaneously contributes to securing the blockchain and mining new digital assets, effectively offsetting compute costs without additional expense.

As a first product of this collaboration, Together AI is launching a discounted inference endpoint for the instruction-tuned Gemma-4-31B-it-pearl model. This endpoint offers over a 25% discount, with the savings underwritten by the future value of crypto emissions generated through the Pearl Network. Together AI plans to expand this portfolio, potentially allowing customers to directly benefit from these emissions.

Pearl's breakthrough promises to fundamentally alter the [AI model inference economics](/ai-news/technology/2026/together-ai-supercharges-llm-inference). By increasing the economic throughput of GPUs and lowering the price-per-token for large language models, it addresses a critical bottleneck in AI deployment. This approach offers a novel solution for [AI inference cost optimization](/ai-news/technology/2026/aws-ai-chips-the-lingo-you-need).

Omri Weinstein, Co-founder and CEO of Pearl Research Labs, stated that the partnership delivers the first inference endpoint discounted due to parallel coin generation. This integration marks a significant step towards making AI more accessible and widely distributed, aligning with Together AI's core mission. The details of this partnership were first announced on [Together AI](https://www.together.ai/blog/together-ai-partners-with-pearl-research-labs).

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