I recently came across a short Facebook video titled “AI Agents Will Use Crypto as Their Native Currency,” and it stuck with me because it focused on something very practical. As artificial intelligence becomes more autonomous, the real question isn’t whether it will transact, but how those transactions will actually happen.
In the video, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) explains why AI agents won’t rely on traditional financial systems as they begin operating independently. Credit cards, bank transfers, and legacy payment rails assume human involvement at every step. They depend on identity checks, approvals, and manual processes. That framework doesn’t translate well to autonomous systems making decisions and executing actions on their own.
From my perspective, crypto fits this gap more naturally. Blockchains are programmable, global, and always on. An AI system doesn’t need a bank branch or a payment processor designed for people. It needs a way to move value instantly and reliably, without human oversight. Crypto already offers that functionality.
Crypto payments are still early. I don’t see widespread consumer adoption yet, and most businesses aren’t set up to accept them directly. That said, progress is happening quietly. Stablecoins are reducing volatility and simplifying settlement, while traditional financial institutions are integrating crypto infrastructure behind the scenes. In many cases, users may not even realize crypto is involved.
For AI systems, familiarity doesn’t matter. Efficiency does. If a payment method clears quickly, works across borders, and can be automated, it becomes the logical choice. That’s why the idea of AI agents using crypto isn’t speculative—it’s practical.
As Craig Pickering from Utah, I’ve spent years working around network infrastructure and decentralized systems. Through that work, I’ve seen how technology evolves once human bottlenecks are removed. Systems trend toward whatever reduces friction and increases reliability. Financial infrastructure follows the same pattern.
In my work as Craig Pickering of Gnodi and Cirrus Networks, I’ve seen firsthand how automation changes expectations. When systems operate continuously, the supporting layers have to do the same. If AI becomes an active participant in economic activity, it will require payment rails that don’t depend on business hours, approvals, or manual intervention.
This shift also fits into a broader transformation across finance. Tokenized assets, fewer physical banking touchpoints, and decentralized infrastructure are all moving in the same direction. AI using crypto isn’t a standalone idea—it’s part of a larger realignment of how value moves in a digital economy.
For businesses, this has real implications. Supporting crypto settlement may become necessary even if customers never interact with it directly. Stablecoins could play a growing role as practical payment tools. Consumers may engage with crypto indirectly, through AI systems that handle purchases, subscriptions, or bookings on their behalf.
What stood out to me most in the video wasn’t a bold prediction. It was the reminder that financial systems were built for people. As machines begin to act independently, the systems supporting them will change.
Crypto may not feel essential today, but for AI systems operating without borders or downtime, it may simply be the most workable option.