Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment methods
Alchemy, in partnership with Visa, has introduced AgentCard — an innovative service that empowers AI agents to make online purchases on behalf of users. This is not just another step in automation, but a fundamental shift in the economy, where neural networks become full-fledged participants in transactions.
The integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce provides agents with a complete digital profile: a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers need just one API request to set up access to paying for goods and services in minutes. AI agents based on models from OpenAI or Anthropic can now independently book tickets, order groceries, and manage subscriptions, completely freeing the user from routine paperwork.
Flexibility and Security of Transactions
The system supports strict spending limits, restrictions by store categories, and customizable budgets, giving the user full control. By default, payments are processed via Visa tokens, preserving bank bonuses and credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, the service automatically switches to a crypto wallet — the AgentCard protocol itself selects the optimal payment method.
"Every technological shift creates new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage; they need access to the global economy," emphasized Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan. Visa, for its part, guarantees the security and scalability of such transactions thanks to its infrastructure.
This launch is not an isolated case. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service for connecting agents to user accounts. Estonia is also working on creating digital IDs for AI agents, confirming a global trend.
My view: AgentCard is a bridge between traditional finance and the decentralized world. While the market is focused on speculation, such solutions are laying the real infrastructure for an autonomous economy. The only question is how quickly regulators will adapt to the new participants.