分析：加密正成为AI Agent默认支付层，稳定币优势凸显

Odaily reports that according to the latest report from crypto market maker and investment firm Keyrock, as traditional bank card payment systems struggle to meet the demands of micropayments, blockchain-based stablecoin payment rails are gradually becoming the default payment layer for AI agents.

The report shows that between May 2025 and April 2026, AI agents have completed over 176 million transactions through on-chain infrastructure, with a settlement volume exceeding $73 million.

So-called "Agentic Payments" refer to AI software that can autonomously purchase data, computing power, APIs, or AI services without requiring manual authorization for each transaction. For example, an AI trading agent can continuously and automatically purchase market data, cloud computing resources, or AI analysis services. Keyrock believes that this growth rate may even surpass the early explosive phase of stablecoins.

Currently, the x402 protocol launched by Coinbase has become one of the leading crypto-native machine payment solutions, allowing AI agents to use USDC for direct payments of on-chain analysis, cloud services, and other resources, without the need for accounts or subscription systems.

Data indicates that approximately 76% of AI agent payment amounts are below the common fixed fee threshold of 30 cents associated with traditional bank cards, with most transaction amounts ranging from just 1 to 10 cents. Consequently, traditional payment networks are unsuitable for machine-to-machine micropayments. In contrast, on chains like Base and Tempo, the settlement cost for stablecoins is "less than one cent."

However, regulation could still become a limiting factor for industry growth. The report points out that new regulatory frameworks, including Europe's MiCA, the US's GENIUS Act, and the EU's AI Act, have yet to directly cover key issues related to AI agents, such as autonomous transactions, liability attribution, and identity authentication. (CoinDesk)