Crypto built for AI agents, not humans: Alchemy CEO interview
Alchemy CEO Nikil Viswanathan argues crypto infrastructure is purpose-built for AI agents, not humans. Traditional finance's friction makes it unusable for machines, while crypto's programmability and always-on nature suit agent transactions. He foresees a layered future where agents manage finance autonomously.
Quick Take
Alchemy CEO says crypto infrastructure ideal for AI agents
Traditional finance limitations make it unsuitable for machine participants
Programmability and 24/7 nature fits agent needs for global transactions
Envisions layered future where agents handle finance automatically
Market Impact Analysis
BullishIf AI agents become major economic participants, demand for crypto rails could increase significantly.
Speculation Analysis
Key Takeaways
- AI agents require crypto's borderless, always-on rails to transact seamlessly
- Traditional finance's human-centric design creates friction for machines
- Crypto's programmability enables direct, code-driven agent autonomy
- A layered future could see agents managing finance while humans interface
What Happened
Alchemy CEO Nikil Viswanathan argued in a CoinDesk interview that crypto's architecture suits AI agents better than humans. Traditional finance, with its operating hours and country-specific payments, burdens machines that transact continuously across borders. Viswanathan emphasized that agents don't sleep or have physical locations—they need always-on, programmable money. Crypto delivers a global, 24/7 layer where value moves as fluidly as data.
The Numbers
While the interview didn't disclose specific figures, the contrast is stark. Legacy bank transfers can lag for days with multiple intermediaries; crypto settlements happen in minutes or seconds. Fees for micro-transactions are negligible on layer-2 networks, fitting agents that need tiny increments. Alchemy's suite of APIs and node services supports a growing ecosystem of decentralized apps, reflecting the shift toward programmable finance.
Why It Happened
The emergence of AI agents as economic actors exposes weaknesses in human-centric financial systems. As machines increasingly transact autonomously, they require infrastructure that doesn't rely on physical identity, banking hours, or geographic borders. Crypto's core attributes—programmability, always-on operation, and global reach—naturally align with agent needs. The industry is recognizing that the very features that challenge human adoption, like seed phrases and direct code interaction, are strengths for AI.
Broader Impact
If AI agents become major economic participants, demand for crypto rails could surge. This could accelerate development of agent-oriented DeFi protocols, cross-chain interoperability, and AI-automated treasury management. It also shifts the narrative from crypto being for degens or institutions to being the foundational layer for an AI-driven economy.
What to Watch Next
- Watch for increased developer activity building infrastructure specifically for AI agents.
- Monitor announcements from Alchemy and similar providers about agent-focused products.
- Keep an eye on regulatory responses as autonomous agent transactions grow.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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