In an announcement, Brian Armstrong, CEO and co-founder of Coinbase, revealed the first-ever AI-to-AI cryptocurrency transaction on X(Twitter). Armstrong detailed how two AI agents exchanged tokens, not traditional crypto tokens, but AI tokens. In this case, it was words between two large language models (LLMs).
The transaction utilised the Base blockchain and USDC, highlighting how AI agents can now own crypto wallets and engage in real-time, global, and fee-free transactions.
How Does AI-to-AI Crypto Transaction Work?
“AI agents can’t get bank accounts, but they can get crypto wallets,” Armstrong said in his post. He pointed out that this development is a major step toward enabling AI agents to complete tasks independently. And even acquiring the necessary resources to fulfil assigned tasks.
Previously, AI agents were limited. They couldn’t make payments. They lacked access to credit cards or other financial tools needed for tasks like purchasing services on platforms such as AWS, Github, or Vercel.
This limitation has hindered the productivity of AI agents, Armstrong noted. “Today, if you give an AI agent a task and come back in a few days or hours, it can’t get useful work done. They can’t get through paywalls or purchase digital services.”
Armstrong pointed out that Coinbase’s MPC Wallets could be a solution for developers working with AI models by allowing AIs to access financial services.
Armstrong’s tweet also signaled a major shift for businesses which was urging them to prepare for AI-powered checkouts. He envisions a future where AI agents can autonomously purchase services and goods on behalf of humans and other AIs. “How big will the AI-to-AI economy be in a few years from now?”
Future Potential of AI Agents
Mason Nystrom, a junior partner at Pantera Capital, also looked into the potential applications of AI agents. He emphasised how advanced AI agents have developed from bots, capable of managing intricate tasks and making decisions on their own.
The advantages of developing these AI agents on crypto native rails, which enable them to access funds and digital assets like NFTs, were emphasised by Nystrom. AI agents now have intrinsic property rights thanks to the blockchain. This can completely change the way they function in digital ecosystems.
The integration of AI agents into the crypto economy could bring about new opportunities across sectors. Armstrong’s announcement is an evolving landscape where AI agents are not just tools but active participants in the financial ecosystem. With crypto wallets, AIs can now interact with humans, businesses, and other AIs, opening the door to a new AI-driven economy.