AI app layer should price by identifiable work value, not tokens

The critique targets a structural flaw in AI×crypto pricing: token metrics often decouple from the tangible output users pay for. If the app layer shifts to value-based pricing, it could realign incentives for developers and enterprises, making utility the benchmark rather than speculative token flows. The open question is whether existing projects can transition their models without losing speculative interest, or if new entrants will force the standard. This matters for anyone evaluating the sustainability of AI-crypto integrations, as pricing logic ultimately determines which use cases survive beyond hype cycles.