Alchemy has rolled out its system, which allows autonomous AI agents to buy compute credits as well as access data services on the blockchain through the use of on-chain wallets and USDC on Base.
According to the company announcement, the launch allows the AI agents to perform their functions without the need for human intervention, while they still have access to the essential infrastructure.
The launch allows AI agents to access the blockchain network, check NFT ownership, view balances in multiple wallets, and even view token prices in real time.
Agents can continue operating even after they exhaust their compute credits. Once the balance is depleted, Alchemy sends a payment request that settles automatically in USDC on Base.
Alchemy Powers Autonomous Agent Billing With x402
The company announced that agents can top up their accounts from $1. They can then make API calls until they deplete their credits. A second automatic payment is triggered when more credits are needed.
The company used Coinbase’s x402 standard to enable this payment process. It converts the HTTP “402 Payment Required” response into an on-chain billing request. This enables web services to ask for payments through standard HTTP responses.
Source: X
The x402 was described by Alchemy as an “open standard for automated transactions.” The mechanism allows for machine-to-machine transactions. It also eliminates traditional invoicing processes.
CEO Nikil Viswanathan stated that the system targets developers who create on-chain automation tools. These include decentralized finance agents, portfolio bots, and workflows. Viswanathan stated that numerous large-scale crypto applications currently process their transactions via Alchemy.
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He said that this would allow the AI agents to utilize the same infrastructure as the leading platforms. The agents can now perform their tasks without the need for humans. He described the launch as a milestone for autonomous on-chain activity.
AI Agent Adoption Gains Momentum
AI agents have gained attention in the past year. The agents can make decisions and act according to the data available at a given time. A survey conducted by McKinsey in November shows that 23% of organizations were expanding their use of agents.
AI.com plans to launch its retail-focused autonomous agent, as reported on Feb. 6. The platform is created by Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek.
Coinbase launched its product, “Agentic Wallets,” after the announcement by AI.com. It allows AI agents to spend, earn, and trade digital assets. It also supports autonomous on-chain activities such as portfolio management and service payment.
Monad’s developer community announced the winners of its Moltiverse Hackathon this week. Sixteen projects were recognized. The event highlighted tools that combine agents with token-based designs.
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