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

The current financial system was created with human limitations in mind, such as geography, sleep patterns, and physical presence. However, as AI agents become economic participants, this human-centric design is becoming a hindrance, according to Nikil Viswanathan, co-founder of Alchemy. Viswanathan argues that cryptocurrency was, in fact, built for AI agents, not humans. The traditional financial system is structured around human needs, with banks having operating hours, payments tied to countries, and credit cards requiring physical identity and presence. In contrast, AI agents operate around the clock, are location-independent, and do not require physical presence or identity verification. As AI agents increasingly engage in transactions, the need for a more efficient and global financial system becomes apparent. According to Viswanathan, cryptocurrency offers exactly that - a global, always-on financial layer where value can be transferred seamlessly, without the need for intermediaries or physical infrastructure. The complexity of cryptocurrency, which has long been a barrier for humans, is actually a strength when it comes to AI agents, as they operate natively in code and can interact with cryptocurrency seamlessly. Viswanathan envisions a future where AI agents sit on top of cryptocurrency infrastructure, managing complexity, executing transactions, 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, with traditional finance and cryptocurrency at the base, an agent layer operating on top, and a human interface above that.