Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The cryptocurrency and traditional finance industries are taking another step towards the era of autonomous artificial intelligence. Blockchain infrastructure platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced the AgentCard service. This solution provides AI agents with a full set of financial and identification data to make online purchases on behalf of users.
How AgentCard works
The integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce equips neural networks with a virtual Visa card, email address, phone number, and cryptocurrency wallet. Developers can configure the agent's ability to pay for goods and services through a single API in less than a minute. AI agents based on models from OpenAI or Anthropic gain the ability to book tickets, order groceries, and renew subscriptions without user involvement in the checkout process.
Control and security
The system supports spending limits, restrictions by store categories, and customizable budgets. By default, payments are processed through Visa tokens, allowing users to retain bank bonuses and credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, the service can utilize a crypto wallet. The AgentCard protocol automatically 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," noted Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan. Visa representatives emphasized that their infrastructure will ensure the security and scalability of such transactions.
Market context
It is worth recalling that earlier MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service that connects an AI agent to a user's account for trading and payments within set limits. These initiatives confirm the trend of integrating artificial intelligence into the financial ecosystem.
From my professional perspective, the launch of AgentCard is a landmark event. It not only legitimizes AI agents as full-fledged economic entities but also sets a precedent for the mass adoption of autonomous payments. However, the key challenge remains security: protecting against unauthorized spending and fraud in conditions where the agent operates without direct human control will require new protocols and standards.