Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The artificial intelligence industry is taking another step towards financial autonomy. The Alchemy platform, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced AgentCard — a service that equips AI agents with full capabilities to conduct online transactions on behalf of the user.
The solution is built on the Visa Intelligent Commerce infrastructure. Each agent receives a unique set of data: a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers need just one API request to configure the agent's access to pay for goods and services — the entire process takes less than a minute.
How it works
AI agents running on OpenAI or Anthropic models can now independently book airline tickets, order groceries, or renew subscriptions. No human involvement in the checkout process is required. The system supports flexible spending limits, restrictions by store category, and customizable budgets.
By default, payments are processed via Visa tokens, allowing users to retain banking rewards and use credit lines. If the merchant accepts digital assets, AgentCard automatically switches to the crypto wallet. The protocol independently selects the optimal payment method based on merchant support.
Expert opinion
This is a landmark step for the autonomous agent economy. The market has long awaited an infrastructure solution that combines traditional finance with blockchain capabilities. AgentCard addresses a key issue — trust in AI when making transactions. Controlled limits and transparent payment logic make the technology suitable for mass adoption.
Earlier, similar initiatives were announced by MetaMask and Coinbase. MetaMask introduced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase launched a service connecting agents to user accounts for trading and payments. However, the integration with Visa gives AgentCard an advantage through access to the global banking ecosystem.
According to analyst forecasts, by 2026, the number of AI agents conducting financial transactions will exceed 100 million. AgentCard is becoming the first standardized tool for this new economic reality.