BlackRock Says AI Agents Could Be the Next Big Driver of Crypto Demand

AI summary of the source article

In a report titled “The Machine-Native Economy,” BlackRock argued that autonomous AI agents could be the next major source of cryptocurrency demand rather than human investors. As AI agents independently procure data, travel, and computing power, they require continuous payment systems capable of executing sub-cent transactions. BlackRock cited Bitcoin Policy Institute research showing that simulations favored stablecoins for routine payments and bitcoin as a store of value. The asset manager highlighted that traditional payment rails like card networks and automated clearing houses feature human onboarding and fees that make tiny machine-to-machine payments uneconomic.

Why it matters

The rise of autonomous AI commerce may accelerate adoption of digital asset infrastructure, shifting transactional volume away from traditional banking rails toward blockchain networks.

Key facts

• BlackRock reported that traditional card networks and automated clearing houses are uneconomic and too slow for sub-cent AI micropayments.
• Cited research from the Bitcoin Policy Institute showed simulated AI models preferred stablecoins for payments and bitcoin for value preservation.
• BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust, approved by the SEC in 2024, manages over $67 billion in assets.