xTAO Completes Infrastructure Upgrade and Validator Optimization

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Jan. 30, 2026 /CNW/ - xTAO Inc. (TSXV: XTAO.U) (OTC: XTAIF) (the "Company" or "xTAO"), a publicly traded technology company focused on building infrastructure for Bittensor and its decentralized AI ecosystem, today announced the successful completion of an infrastructure upgrade and validator optimization initiative for its validator on the Bittensor network. This strategic upgrade enhances the reliability and efficiency of xTAO's operations, ensuring the validator remains at the forefront of the decentralized AI revolution.

As of January 29, xTAO's validator is ranked 4th overall on the Bittensor network by yield generation. Demonstrating industry-leading performance, the validator is generating current annualized yield of 6.59%, according to data from www.taoyield.com. These metrics underscore xTAO's commitment to providing stable, high-performance validation services for its delegators and the broader network.

In the Bittensor ecosystem, validators serve as the essential stewards of network integrity and value, acting as the primary mechanism for the fair distribution of TAO emissions. Unlike traditional blockchain nodes, Bittensor validators perform a complex evaluative function by continuously scoring the quality of intelligence produced by miners across various subnets through the Yuma Consensus. Validators ensure that incentives are directed toward the most innovative and accurate contributors.

Bittensor is fundamentally transforming the artificial intelligence landscape by creating a peer-to-peer, permissionless marketplace that decouples intelligence from corporate silos. By utilizing a meritocratic incentive structure, the network enables thousands of specialized models to compete and collaborate globally, fostering a diverse ecosystem that is resistant to the centralization and bias often inherent in large-scale proprietary AI. This decentralized approach ensures that the development of artificial general intelligence remains open and accessible, providing a transparent alternative where the value generated by AI is shared among those who contribute to its collective growth.

About xTAO

xTAO is a technology company building infrastructure for the Bittensor ecosystem. xTAO is committed to advancing Bittensor and decentralized AI through building infrastructure and making strategic investments. xTAO is headquartered in the Cayman Islands and is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker "XTAO.U." Learn more at www.xtao.co.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of xTAO Inc.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the operational performance and uptime of the Company's validator infrastructure; the ability of the upgraded nodes to maintain or improve network ranking; fluctuations in the Bittensor (TAO) staking yield and reward emissions; technical risks associated with the Bittensor protocol and Yuma Consensus; the evolving cryptocurrency regulatory requirements; xTAO value risk; reliance on key personnel; lack of operating history; competitive conditions; cybersecurity risks; market price of the common shares of the Company; internal controls; and the potential for technological vulnerabilities within the decentralized AI ecosystem.

Although management of the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, change in management's estimates or opinions, future circumstances or events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE xTAO Inc.

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