Alchemy's CEO Claims Crypto is Better Suited for AI Agents Than Humans

The existing financial system was not designed with machines in mind, but rather around human constraints such as geography, sleep patterns, and physical presence. However, as AI agents become more involved in economic activities, this human-centric design is becoming a hindrance, according to Nikil Viswanathan, co-founder of crypto firm Alchemy. Viswanathan argues that crypto was essentially built for AI agents, not humans. The traditional financial system is filled with limitations, such as operating hours, country-based payments, and credit cards that require physical identity and presence. In contrast, AI agents operate around the clock, are not bound by geographical locations, and do not require physical presence or identity. As AI agents increasingly engage in transactions, the need for a more seamless and global financial system becomes apparent. Viswanathan believes that crypto provides the necessary infrastructure for this new kind of economic actor, offering a global, always-on financial layer where value can be transferred as easily as data. The complexity of crypto, which has long been a barrier for humans, is actually a strength when it comes to machines. AI agents operate natively in code and can interact with crypto systems directly, without the need for intermediaries or physical infrastructure. According to Viswanathan, the future of finance will involve AI agents sitting on top of crypto infrastructure, handling complex tasks and optimizing capital flows in real-time, making it easier for people to control their funds. This will result in a more global, programmable, and autonomous financial system, with traditional finance and crypto at the base, an agent layer operating on top, and a human interface above that.