Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
Blockchain infrastructure platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced an innovative solution — AgentCard. This service marks an important step toward integrating artificial intelligence into the global financial system, enabling AI agents to independently make online purchases on behalf of users.
How does AgentCard work?
AgentCard is based on integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce, which equips neural networks with a full set of digital identifiers: 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 just one minute.
AI agents operating on models from OpenAI or Anthropic gain the ability to autonomously perform routine tasks: book flights, order groceries, renew subscriptions, and much more. The key advantage is the complete absence of any need for user involvement in the transaction process.
Security and management flexibility
The system provides strict control mechanisms: users can set spending limits, restrictions by store categories, and customizable budgets. By default, payments are processed through Visa tokens, allowing users to retain bank bonuses and credit lines. If the seller accepts digital assets, the service automatically switches to using the crypto wallet.
As noted by Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan, "every shift in technology has created new economic participants," and AI agents are the next stage of evolution that requires access to the global economy. Visa representatives, in turn, emphasize that their infrastructure will provide the necessary level of security and scalability for such transactions.
Industry context
This launch is not an isolated event. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet designed for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service connecting AI agents to user accounts for trading and payments. It is clear that the largest players in the crypto industry and traditional finance see enormous potential in autonomous agents.
Expert opinion: The launch of AgentCard by Alchemy and Visa is not just another product, but a fundamental paradigm shift. We are witnessing the birth of a new class of economic entities — AI agents that will act in the interests of humans, but without their constant control. The key challenge here is the balance between autonomy and security, and the solution with customizable limits and payment method choice appears to be a well-thought-out first step.