Alchemy and Visa introduce AgentCard: AI agents gain access to global payments
Payment infrastructure for artificial intelligence is taking another step forward. The Alchemy platform, together with Visa, has launched the AgentCard service — a solution that allows AI agents to independently make online purchases on behalf of users.
The integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce provides neural networks with a full set of digital tools: a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers only need to connect a single API to configure the agent's access to paying for goods and services in under a minute. This radically simplifies the process of implementing autonomous payments.
Agents based on OpenAI or Anthropic models can now book tickets, order groceries, renew subscriptions — all without user involvement in the checkout process. The system supports flexible spending limits, restrictions by store category, and customizable budgets. By default, payments are processed via Visa tokens, preserving banking 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," noted Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan. Visa representatives emphasize that their infrastructure will ensure the security and scalability of such transactions. The AgentCard protocol independently selects the optimal payment method based on merchant support.
This is not the first step in this direction. In June, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service connecting an agent to a user's account for trading and payments within set limits. AgentCard from Alchemy and Visa appears to be the most mature and scalable solution, which could become the standard for AI interaction with the financial system.
My opinion: The market is rapidly moving toward an economy where AI agents will become full participants in transactions. However, security and control issues remain critical — user trust in such services will depend on how transparently limits and audits are configured.