Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The cryptocurrency and blockchain market continues to integrate with artificial intelligence, and the latest step in this direction is the launch of the AgentCard platform by Alchemy in partnership with Visa. This solution fundamentally changes the rules of the game: AI agents can now independently make online purchases on behalf of users, without the need for manual intervention.
AgentCard is built on Visa Intelligent Commerce, providing neural networks with a full set of data for operation. Each agent receives a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers only need to configure a single API, and access to paying for goods and services is activated in less than a minute. This is not just a technical innovation — it is the creation of a new economic infrastructure for autonomous systems.
AI agents running on models from OpenAI or Anthropic will be able to book tickets, order groceries, renew subscriptions — all without human involvement in the checkout process. The system supports strict spending limits, restrictions by store category, and customizable budgets, ensuring control by the owner. By default, payments go through Visa tokens, preserving bank bonuses and credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, the service automatically switches to the crypto wallet.
"Every shift in technology has created new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage; they need access to the global economy," emphasized Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan. Visa representatives added that their infrastructure ensures the security and scalability of such transactions, and the AgentCard protocol automatically selects the optimal payment method depending on merchant support.
This launch is part of a broader trend. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service for connecting AI agents to user accounts for trading and payments. Estonia, in turn, is working on creating digital IDs for AI agents. AgentCard from Alchemy and Visa is not just a product, but a signal: the financial world is transitioning to an era where agents become full-fledged participants in the economy.
Expert opinion: The launch of AgentCard is a key moment for the crypto industry. It demonstrates that blockchain and traditional payment systems can coexist, creating hybrid solutions for AI. However, the main challenge remains: how to ensure data security and confidentiality when agents act autonomously? The solution from Visa and Alchemy sets a standard, but the market has a long path of regulation and trust ahead.