Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, stated that AI agents will eventually conduct more daily cryptocurrency transactions than all humans combined. He dismissed the idea that crypto and AI compete, emphasizing instead that they complement each other. Armstrong envisions a future where AI systems require their own financial infrastructure, with crypto serving as the ideal foundation.
In a post on X, Armstrong said, "If you're in crypto, pivot to AI," criticizing the mindset that the two fields are rivals. He compared crypto to fundamental infrastructure like electricity or the internet, underscoring its broad utility beyond scarcity thinking.
The key challenge Armstrong highlights is that AI agents cannot rely on traditional banking methods. These agents need to autonomously pay for services such as data, software, and computing power without human intervention. Blockchain technology and stablecoins, offering fast, programmable, and global settlements, fit this requirement perfectly, enabling smooth machine-to-machine payments.
Coinbase’s Steps Toward Agentic Finance
Armstrong introduced the term “Agentic Finance” or “AiFi” to describe this emerging model. Coinbase has already started building solutions aligned with this vision. In June, they launched Coinbase for Agents, a tool that allows AI systems to connect to user accounts through a command-line interface. This lets AI agents trade, monitor markets, and rebalance portfolios within defined limits.
On July 23, Coinbase enhanced the platform by adding live market data and plain-language conditional commands. They also integrated x402 support for Coinbase Business, enabling companies to accept USDC payments from AI agents. also a new developer kit was introduced to help websites and API providers implement x402 payment support with minimal coding.
Earlier in April, Coinbase unveiled Agentic.market, a marketplace where AI agents can find and purchase data, computing power, and trading tools without needing subscriptions or manual API keys. This ecosystem relies on the x402 protocol, which adapts an old HTTP payment method to request payments during web interactions. Base provides low-cost settlement, while USDC acts as the primary payment currency.
Despite these advances, Armstrong did not specify when AI-driven transactions might exceed those of humans. His focus remains on the nature of AI payments, which involve frequent small transactions for API calls and computing tasks, unlike typical consumer payments that are fewer and larger.
However, not all predictions have been validated. Recent research found that x402 transaction activity on Base is heavily concentrated among a few users, raising questions about widespread adoption. Security concerns around x402 systems have also been noted by researchers. Meanwhile, AI secured 61% of global venture capital investment in 2025, while crypto deal counts fell to a five-year low, reflecting shifting investor interests.
