Alchemy 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 geographical location, sleep patterns, and physical presence. However, as AI agents become more prominent in economic activities, this human-centric design is becoming a limitation, says Alchemy co-founder Nikil Viswanathan. 'It can be argued that cryptocurrency was built for AI agents, not humans,' Viswanathan stated. The disparity between traditional finance and AI agents is evident everywhere, with banks having limited operating hours due to human constraints, payments tied to countries, and credit cards requiring 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 compatible financial system becomes apparent. Viswanathan believes that cryptocurrency is well-suited for AI agents, offering a global, always-on financial layer where value can be transferred seamlessly, similar to data. The complexity of cryptocurrency, which has long been a hurdle for human users, is actually a strength when it comes to AI agents, as they operate natively in code and can interact directly with the crypto infrastructure. This shift towards AI agents using cryptocurrency is comparable to the transition from the postal system to the internet, where communication became faster and more efficient. Looking ahead, Viswanathan envisions a future where AI agents sit on top of crypto infrastructure, managing complexity, executing transactions, and optimizing capital flows in real-time, making it easier for people to control their funds. The result would be a more global, programmable, and autonomous financial system, with traditional finance and crypto forming the base, an agent layer operating on top, and a human interface above that.