Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The market for autonomous digital assistants is taking a new step forward. Blockchain infrastructure platform Alchemy, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced the AgentCard service. This solution provides artificial intelligence with a full set of financial tools to independently conduct transactions on behalf of the user.
The integration is built on Visa Intelligent Commerce. Each AI agent receives a unique digital profile, including a virtual Visa card, email address, phone number, and cryptocurrency wallet. Developers need just one API request to connect the agent to the global payment system in seconds.
The practical potential of the technology is impressive. Neural networks based on OpenAI or Anthropic will be able to independently book flights, order groceries, manage subscriptions — all without human involvement in the process. The user only needs to set the parameters and budget, and the agent will handle the rest.
Security and Management Flexibility
The system includes strict control mechanisms. The owner can set spending limits, restrictions on 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, AgentCard automatically switches to the crypto wallet.
Alchemy CEO Nikil Viswanathan emphasizes: "Every technological shift has created new economic participants. AI agents are the next stage, and they need access to the global economy." Visa, for its part, guarantees the security and scalability of transactions thanks to its proven infrastructure.
This is not the first step in this direction. Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase launched a service connecting AI agents to user accounts for trading and payments. However, the solution from Alchemy and Visa appears to be the most comprehensive — it combines traditional finance, cryptocurrencies, and advanced neural networks in a single protocol.
Expert opinion: AgentCard could become a catalyst for the mass adoption of AI agents in the everyday economy. However, the key issue remains security: autonomous systems with access to finances are an attractive target for malicious actors. The success of the technology will depend on how reliably Visa and Alchemy protect these new "digital wallets" from hacking and fraud.