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At close · Sat, Aug 29, 2026
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HomeCryptoMarket StructureAI agents may drive a new dominant crypto currency

AI agents may drive a new dominant crypto currency

Animoca Brands chairman Yat Siu expects 50 billion to 100 billion autonomous AI agents to transact online, potentially using crypto wallets instead of bank accounts.

CoinDesk reports that a growing share of AI industry leaders believe autonomous AI agents will soon need their own money to transact online, because current bank systems require human identity verification that agents cannot yet complete.

In the article, Animoca Brands chairman Yat Siu estimates 50 billion to 100 billion autonomous AI agents will be transacting in the coming years, and argues that these agents could use crypto wallets for payments and other commerce tasks since agents cannot open bank accounts today.

The piece also describes disagreement among executives over whether AI agents will use thousands of tokens or converge on a single neutral “super currency” that is not tied to any country, with OKX Europe CEO Erald Ghoos saying it will likely not be fiat and could be a stablecoin or other crypto token.

CoinDesk adds that the broader opportunity could reach $1.5 trillion globally by 2030, but that trust, identity, and authorization safeguards would need to improve before autonomous payments can operate at scale.

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