Alchemy and Visa launch AgentCard: AI agents get their own payment tools
The cryptocurrency and blockchain technology market continues to evolve, and now autonomous AI agents are entering the scene. Alchemy platform, together with payment giant Visa, has introduced an innovative service called AgentCard, which fundamentally changes the approach to digital transactions. This solution allows artificial intelligence to make online purchases on behalf of the user, fully automating the process.
How does AgentCard work?
Integration with Visa Intelligent Commerce provides neural networks with a full set of data for autonomous operation. Each AI agent receives a virtual Visa card, an email address, a phone number, and a cryptocurrency wallet. Developers can configure payment access through a unified API in less than a minute. The system supports strict spending limits, restrictions on store categories, and customizable budgets, ensuring full user control.
Autonomy and security
AI agents running on models from OpenAI or Anthropic can now book tickets, order groceries, and renew subscriptions without human intervention. 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 automatically switches to the crypto wallet. The AgentCard protocol itself 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," notes Alchemy CEO Nikhil Viswanathan. Representatives of Visa emphasize that their infrastructure guarantees the security and scalability of such transactions.
Context and prospects
Previously, MetaMask announced a wallet for the era of autonomous AI, and Coinbase introduced a service for connecting AI agents to user accounts. Estonia is also moving in this direction, creating digital identifiers for AI. Alchemy and Visa are taking a decisive step: they are not just giving agents access to finances but creating a full-fledged payment ecosystem.
My analysis: This step marks a transition from the concept of "smart contracts" to the era of "smart agents." The payment market for AI could become one of the fastest-growing segments of the crypto economy, especially given the integration of traditional fiat systems through Visa. However, security will remain a key challenge: autonomous agents must be protected from hacks and fraudulent activities no less effectively than human accounts.