Alchemy and Visa introduce AgentCard: AI agents gain access to payments and the global economy
Blockchain infrastructure platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has launched an innovative service called AgentCard. This solution marks a new stage in the evolution of decentralized finance and artificial intelligence, enabling AI agents to make online purchases on behalf of users.
The integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce equips neural networks with a full set of digital tools: a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers can configure the agent's access to pay for goods and services through a single API in less than a minute. This eliminates a key obstacle to the autonomous economy—the lack of dedicated payment credentials for AI agents.
How It Works
AI agents based on models from OpenAI or Anthropic gain the ability to book tickets, order groceries, and renew subscriptions without user involvement in the checkout process. The system supports flexible spending limits, store category restrictions, and customizable budgets, ensuring full control by the owner.
By default, payments are processed via Visa tokens, allowing users to retain banking bonuses and credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, the service automatically switches to a crypto wallet. The AgentCard protocol selects the optimal payment method based on merchant support.
"Every shift in technology has created new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage—they need access to the global economy," said Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan.
Visa representatives emphasize that their infrastructure will ensure the security and scalability of such transactions. Notably, MetaMask previously announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service for connecting AI agents to user accounts. Alchemy's AgentCard is a logical continuation of the trend that transforms AI agents from simple assistants into full-fledged participants in the global economy.
My expert perspective: This is not just another payment tool but a fundamental shift. AI agents are becoming economic entities, paving the way for fully automated financial ecosystems. However, the key challenges remain security and control—users must be confident that their agents will not exceed limits or fall under the influence of malicious actors.