Alchemy and Visa have partnered to launch AgentCard — a payment solution for AI agents
Blockchain infrastructure platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced a new service called AgentCard. This solution marks a significant step toward integrating artificial intelligence into the global financial ecosystem, allowing AI agents to independently make online purchases on behalf of users.
The key innovation is that AgentCard provides neural networks with a full set of digital tools for handling finances. Through a single API, developers can equip an AI agent with a virtual Visa card, email address, phone number, and cryptocurrency wallet in just minutes. This transforms the agent from a simple consultant into an active participant in economic relations.
How it works and what opportunities it opens
AI agents powered by models from OpenAI or Anthropic can now take over routine tasks: booking tickets, ordering groceries, renewing subscriptions. The user does not need to participate in every step of the transaction — it is enough to set goals and limits. The system supports flexible security settings: spending limits, store category restrictions, and personal budgets.
By default, payments are processed through Visa tokens, preserving familiar banking bonuses and credit lines. However, if the merchant accepts digital assets, the service automatically switches to a crypto wallet. This hybrid approach, in my opinion, is the most pragmatic solution for the current stage of market development.
"Every technological shift has created new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage — they need access to the global economy," said Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan.
Visa's infrastructure, according to the company, guarantees the security and scalability of such transactions. The AgentCard protocol automatically selects the optimal payment method based on the merchant's capabilities.
This move by Alchemy and Visa is no coincidence. Previously, we saw MetaMask announce a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase launch a service for connecting AI agents to user accounts. Clearly, the industry is preparing for the mass adoption of autonomous agents in the financial sector.
My professional opinion: The launch of AgentCard is not just another product, but a signal that traditional payment systems see AI agents as full-fledged clients. However, the main question remains open: how willing are users to delegate control over their finances to algorithms? In the coming years, we will witness the formation of new standards of trust and security in this area.