Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment instruments
Blockchain development platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced an innovative service called AgentCard. This solution marks a new stage in the evolution of autonomous AI agents, providing them with a full set of financial tools to independently make online purchases on behalf of users.
AgentCard operates on the Visa Intelligent Commerce infrastructure. Each AI agent receives a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers can configure access to payment functions through a single API in just one minute. This radically simplifies integration — previously, such tasks required complex smart contracts and manual fund management.
How it works
AI agents built on OpenAI or Anthropic models will be able to independently book flights, order groceries, renew subscriptions, and pay bills. The user no longer needs to participate in the checkout process — the agent handles all the routine tasks. The system supports flexible restrictions: spending limits, store categories, and customizable budgets.
By default, payments are processed through Visa tokens, preserving bank bonuses and credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, AgentCard automatically switches to the crypto wallet. The protocol independently 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. AgentCard is not just a payment tool, but a full-fledged identification system for autonomous agents.
Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the AI era, and Coinbase launched a service connecting agents to user accounts for trading and payments. Estonia, in turn, has begun developing digital IDs for AI agents. AgentCard from Alchemy and Visa appears to be the most comprehensive solution to date, combining traditional finance and cryptocurrencies in a single interface.
My comment: This step confirms that we are entering the era of the "agent economy." The key challenge is security: how to ensure that the AI does not exceed limits or fall victim to fraudsters? Visa and Alchemy are laying down basic control mechanisms, but the market will need to develop standards for auditing and insuring such transactions. In the next 2-3 years, we will see explosive growth in the number of autonomous payments, and AgentCard could become the de facto standard.