Alchemy Enables Agent Payments with Just $1 in USDC
Blockchain infrastructure company Alchemy has launched a payment system that allows autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents to directly purchase compute credits and access blockchain data services. The system operates on the Base network, utilizing USDC for on-chain payments. This initial release equips AI agents with the ability to query blockchain networks, verify nonfungible token (NFT) ownership, view multi-chain wallet balances, and access live token price data.
To ensure continuous operation without human oversight, the system features an automated billing process. If an agent depletes its prepaid credits, Alchemy issues a payment request that is automatically settled in USDC. Developers can fund an agent's account with as little as $1, allowing the agent to make API calls until the balance is exhausted and another automated payment is triggered.
Coinbase's x402 Standard Powers Autonomous Transactions
The system's functionality is built upon Coinbase’s x402 payment standard. This open standard translates a conventional HTTP “402 Payment Required” response into an automatic on-chain billing event, creating a seamless mechanism for machine-to-machine transactions. This removes the need for manual invoicing and intervention, a crucial step for building a truly autonomous on-chain economy.
Nikil Viswanathan, CEO of Alchemy, stated the system is designed for developers building applications like autonomous decentralized finance (DeFi) agents and portfolio management bots. He emphasized the significance of the launch for the sector.
This is the moment the agentic economy gets its own set of keys.
— Nikil Viswanathan, CEO of Alchemy.
AI Agent Adoption Accelerates with 23% of Firms Expanding Use
Alchemy's initiative aligns with a broader industry push toward AI agent adoption. A November survey from McKinsey found that 23% of organizations were actively expanding their use of agent-based systems. This trend is visible across the crypto landscape, with several major firms recently launching related projects.
On February 6, AI.com announced plans for an autonomous AI agent for retail users, while Coinbase recently introduced “Agentic Wallets” to let AI agents autonomously manage and trade digital assets. Further signaling developer interest, the Monad community’s recent Moltiverse Hackathon showcased 16 winning projects focused on combining AI agents with token-based systems, including a programmable venture capital agent and AI-driven gaming arenas.
