MoonPay introduces autonomous AI transaction system
MoonPay, the crypto payments company, has just rolled out a new software layer that lets artificial intelligence systems handle digital wallets and execute blockchain transactions on their own. The product, called MoonPay Agents, works on a non-custodial basis, which means users keep control of their private keys while giving AI systems permission to transact within set boundaries.
I think this is interesting because it addresses a real gap in the AI space. AI systems can analyze data and make decisions, but they haven’t had a straightforward way to actually move money around. MoonPay’s CEO Ivan Soto-Wright put it simply: “AI agents can reason, but they cannot act economically without capital infrastructure.”
How the system works
The infrastructure builds on MoonPay’s existing command-line interface for developers. Users go through identity verification first, then deposit funds. After that setup, an AI agent can independently perform trades, token swaps, and transfers on their behalf. The system supports conversion between traditional currencies and crypto assets, with virtual accounts available for dollars, euros, and pounds.
Security seems to be a priority here. The platform uses multi-party computation to secure private keys, which is a technical way of saying that no single party has complete control. There are also safeguards like transaction simulations and spending limits built in. These features might help prevent the kind of runaway transactions that people sometimes worry about with automated systems.
The emerging agent economy
MoonPay, founded in 2019, is positioning this as infrastructure for what they call an “agent economy.” The target applications are pretty broad—automated trading, gaming, e-commerce, and corporate treasury operations. The system is designed to handle thousands of concurrent AI agents, which suggests they’re thinking about scale from the start.
What makes this different from conventional trading bots is the architecture. Most trading bots depend on centralized exchanges, but this new system allows AI to interact directly with decentralized protocols. That reduces reliance on intermediaries, which could be significant for certain use cases.
I’m curious how this will play out in practice. The idea of AI managing money autonomously raises questions about responsibility and oversight. MoonPay seems aware of this, given the built-in limits and simulations. But still, it’s a step toward more autonomous economic agents.
The timing feels right, with AI capabilities advancing quickly across many industries. If AI systems are going to become more integrated into daily operations, they’ll need ways to transact. MoonPay’s approach tries to balance autonomy with control, letting users set boundaries while giving AI room to operate.
It’s worth watching how developers and businesses adopt this. The infrastructure could enable new types of applications that weren’t practical before. But like any financial technology, adoption will depend on trust, reliability, and real-world performance.
