Oobit, a cryptocurrency wallet provider, has introduced the Visa-supported virtual “Agent Card,” which enables AI agents to shop online on behalf of companies using USDT as a direct payment method. According to the company, balances for these Agent Cards are funded straight from Tether’s treasury, eliminating any need for conventional bank transfers or currency conversions.
AI’s expanding role in blockchain payments
Company insiders have stated that the Agent Card is not just limited to online purchases; in the future, AI could also manage cryptocurrency and stock transactions on behalf of businesses. Oobit advisor Alex Obchakevich emphasized on X (formerly Twitter) that these cards will enable a host of new financial operations previously out of reach.
Several leading figures in the crypto industry predict that AI-powered agents will dominate blockchain-based payments in the coming years. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, for example, recently predicted that AI agents would soon surpass humans in the volume of online transactions. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire similarly forecasted at the start of the year that billions of AI agents would be conducting transactions on the blockchain within three to five years.
Taking these projections a step further, Oobit claims that “the next trillion users of the internet” will actually be AI agents, not humans.
Oobit highlighted that Agent Cards are ushering in a new era that could fundamentally reshape how the internet operates, asserting that AI agents will soon make up a significant portion of enterprise internet users.
Agent Cards roll out with limited access
Currently, Oobit’s Agent Cards are available to a select group of companies only. The company announced that the cards will gradually be opened to additional firms until June 30. To obtain an Agent Card, businesses must complete a know-your-business (KYB) process to verify their identity and eligibility.
These cards are compatible with popular AI agent models such as OpenAI, Claude, AutoGen, and LangChain. Each AI agent is assigned a unique card, allowing individualized monitoring and transparency in transactions.
To safeguard against unauthorized spending, Oobit specifies that spending limits and merchant-specific restrictions will apply to each card. This ensures AI agents carry out only approved transactions under straightforward financial oversight measures.
The new solution is expected to streamline payment systems and boost efficiency for increasingly digital enterprises. However, it remains unclear if Agent Card access will expand to a broader user base in the near future.
