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

The existing financial system was created with human limitations in mind, such as geographical constraints, sleep patterns, and physical presence. However, as AI agents start to participate in the economy, this human-centric design is becoming a hindrance, says Nikil Viswanathan, co-founder of crypto firm Alchemy. Viswanathan argues that cryptocurrency was actually designed for AI agents, not humans. The traditional financial system is based on human-centric principles, such as operating hours, geographical locations, and physical identity, which are not applicable to AI agents. AI agents operate around the clock, are not bound by geographical locations, and do not require physical presence or identity. They can transact online and conduct global transactions seamlessly. According to Viswanathan, this is where cryptocurrency comes into play, offering a native infrastructure for AI agents to operate. Alchemy, a crypto infrastructure company, provides the necessary tools and services for developers to build blockchain-based applications. Viswanathan believes that traditional finance is built for humans and assumes friction, which is normal for humans but unusable for AI agents. AI agents require seamless transactions across borders, programmability, and direct control over money via code. Crypto offers exactly that - a global, always-on financial layer where value can move as easily as data. What makes crypto difficult for humans, such as seed phrases and private keys, is actually what makes it powerful for machines. Viswanathan compares the shift from crypto tools being built for humans to being used by AI agents to the shift from the postal system to the internet. He envisions a future where AI agents sit on top of crypto infrastructure, handling complexity automatically and optimizing flows of capital in real time, making it easier for people to control their funds. This would result in a more global, programmable, and autonomous financial system.