Cryptocurrency firms are moving to broaden demand by drawing AI agents in as new users of wallets, stablecoins and payment networks.

CNBC reported on Aug. 7 that major companies such as Kraken, Coinbase and Circle are accelerating efforts to build infrastructure aimed at AI software activity.

The trend differs from the previous approach of trying to persuade consumers that cryptocurrencies are better than existing money or payment networks. The industry believes AI agents designed to operate online naturally need digital wallets, programmable money and 24-hour payment networks.

Kraken said it will rebuild its app this summer to provide access features for AI agents that continuously monitor markets, find investment opportunities and execute trades in real time. Coinbase launched tools that allow agents such as ChatGPT or Claude to carry out cryptocurrency trades through natural-language commands. Circle announced in May it will expand its Arc blockchain into infrastructure for an AI agent economy.

Lincoln Murr (링컨 머), Coinbase's head of AI product, said users can create separate accounts for agents within the main app. They can then assign tasks such as trading, portfolio rebalancing and purchasing paid information. He said the key is to give agents access to money.

Stablecoins are also drawing renewed attention in this process. Unlike bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with big price swings, stablecoins are designed to target a fixed value and have been seen as more suitable for payments.

Joseph Chalom (조지프 샬롬), CEO of SharpLink, said the existing banking system is ill-suited to real-time agent-to-agent and machine-to-machine commerce. He said the key is not exchanging cryptocurrencies themselves but that stablecoins and smart contracts can automate payment and settlement without human oversight.