Crypto Designed for AI Agents, Not Humans, According to Alchemy CEO

The modern financial system was not designed with machines in mind. Instead, it was built around human limitations such as geographical location, sleep patterns, paperwork, and physical presence. However, as AI agents start to participate in the economy, this human-centric design is becoming a hindrance, according to Nikil Viswanathan, co-founder of the crypto firm Alchemy. Viswanathan argues that cryptocurrency was built for AI agents, not humans. The current financial system has limitations such as operating hours, country-based payments, and credit cards that require physical identity and presence. In contrast, AI agents do not sleep, have no physical location, and do not use traditional banking systems. They operate online, are global, and can transact seamlessly. Viswanathan believes that cryptocurrency is the native infrastructure for AI agents, providing a global, always-on financial layer where value can move easily. The complexity of cryptocurrency, including seed phrases and private keys, is actually a strength for machines, which operate natively in code. Viswanathan envisions a future where AI agents sit on top of crypto infrastructure, handling complexity, managing wallets, and optimizing capital flows in real-time, making it easier for people to control their funds. This would result in a more global, programmable, and autonomous financial system.