Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get next-generation payment infrastructure
The artificial intelligence industry is taking another step towards financial autonomy. The Alchemy platform, in collaboration with Visa, has introduced AgentCard — a service that allows AI agents to make online purchases on behalf of the user. This is not just an integration, but a full-scale implementation of neural networks into the global economy.
The solution is based on Visa Intelligent Commerce and provides each agent with a complete set of identification data: a virtual Visa card, email address, phone number, and cryptocurrency wallet. Developers need just one API to configure payment access for an agent in under a minute. This radically simplifies the process of delegating financial operations to artificial intelligence.
AI agents operating on models from OpenAI or Anthropic will now be able to independently book tickets, order groceries, and manage subscriptions. The user does not need to participate in every step — the agent acts within set parameters. The system supports flexible spending limits, restrictions by store category, and customizable budgets.
By default, all payments go through Visa tokens, allowing bank bonuses and credit lines to be preserved. However, if the merchant accepts digital assets, AgentCard can use a cryptocurrency wallet. The protocol automatically selects the optimal payment method based on merchant support.
Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan emphasized: "Every technological shift creates new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage, and they need access to the global economy." Visa, for its part, guarantees the security and scalability of such transactions.
This is not the first step in this direction. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service connecting an AI agent to a user's account for trading and payments. However, AgentCard from Alchemy and Visa appears to be the most mature and infrastructure-ready solution.
My analysis: This launch marks a transition from theoretical discussions to practical implementation. AI agents are no longer just tools for text generation — they are becoming full-fledged participants in the financial system. In the coming years, we will see an explosive growth in the number of autonomous economic agents, and Visa with Alchemy are laying the foundation for this new era.