The emergence of AI agents in finance has led to the development of 'agentic finance,' where autonomous systems execute transactions using crypto as their financial infrastructure. A recent survey found that 79% of companies are adopting AI agents, with applications ranging from chatbots to portfolio management. The growth of AI agents is driven by their ability to operate 24/7, access global markets, and optimize financial strategies in real-time. However, this shift also raises concerns about security, authorization, and regulatory treatment.
As the use of AI agents in finance continues to grow, it is essential to address these challenges and build trust among users. Over the next 12 months, the development of agent-native wallets, payments protocols, and deeper integration between stablecoins and AI-driven systems will be critical to the widespread adoption of AI-powered finance. Regulatory clarity will also play a crucial role in shaping the pace and scope of adoption across different industries.
In an experiment, we posed questions to three leading AI models about the present and future of AI payments. The responses highlighted the need for standardized agent identity, governance, and explainability, as well as high-quality real-time data infrastructure to bridge the gap between fiat and crypto. As AI agents become increasingly integral to the financial system, advisors must demonstrate how AI can augment, rather than replace, fiduciary duty.