Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The digital payments market is taking another step into the era of autonomous systems. Alchemy platform, together with Visa, has introduced the AgentCard service — an infrastructure solution that allows artificial intelligence to conduct online transactions on behalf of the user. This is not just an experiment, but a full-fledged tool that could change the approach to financial management in the age of AI.
How AgentCard works
Integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce provides each AI agent with a complete digital profile: a virtual Visa card, email address, phone number, and crypto wallet. Developers connect the agent through a single API — the setup process takes less than a minute. Neural networks based on OpenAI or Anthropic models gain the ability to book tickets, order groceries, renew subscriptions, and perform other routine operations without human involvement.
Flexibility and security
The system supports strict limits: the user sets a budget, restrictions by store categories, and maximum transaction amounts. 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. The AgentCard protocol itself selects the optimal payment method — this reduces friction in the user experience.
Vision of the leaders
Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan emphasizes: "Every technological shift creates new economic players. AI agents are the next stage of evolution, and they need access to the global economy." Visa representatives add that their infrastructure guarantees the security and scalability of such transactions, which is critical for mass adoption.
Context and competition
This is not the first step in this direction. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase launched a service connecting agents to user accounts for trading and payments within set limits. However, the partnership with Visa is a signal that traditional financial infrastructure is ready to integrate with the crypto ecosystem to serve AI agents.
My analysis: AgentCard is not just a payment tool, but a precedent for creating a full-fledged AI economy. When autonomous agents can spend real money, we will see explosive growth in specialized services and DeFi solutions. The issue of security and control will remain key, but the first steps have already been taken.