Alchemy and Visa have joined forces to launch payments for AI agents.
The market for autonomous agents based on artificial intelligence is taking another step toward the real economy. The Alchemy platform, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced a new service called AgentCard, which allows AI agents to independently make online purchases on behalf of the user. This is not just an experiment — it is a full-fledged infrastructure for a new class of economic participants.
The solution is integrated with Visa Intelligent Commerce and provides neural networks with a complete set of data for operation: a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers need only one API request to configure the agent's access to pay for goods and services — the entire process takes less than a minute. Thus, Alchemy and Visa are creating a bridge between decentralized finance and the traditional payment ecosystem.
Agents based on OpenAI or Anthropic models will be able to book tickets, order groceries, and renew subscriptions without user involvement. The system supports flexible spending limits, restrictions by store categories, and customizable budgets. 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.
"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. The AgentCard protocol independently selects the optimal payment method depending on merchant support. This is an important step, as it allows agents to operate within familiar financial systems, not just in the crypto niche.
Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service connecting agents to user accounts for trading and payments. However, AgentCard from Alchemy and Visa appears to be the most comprehensive solution, combining fiat and cryptocurrency flows.
Personally, I believe this event marks the beginning of a new era in fintech. AI agents are no longer just tools for chats or content generation — they are becoming full-fledged market participants. In the coming years, we will see autonomous systems begin to manage budgets, sign contracts, and even trade on exchanges. The only question is how quickly regulators can adapt to this reality.