Bitcoin Could Play Key Role If AI Agents Require Crypto-Based Money Rails, Coinbase Strategist Says

• AI agents need scalable, programmable money rails for real‑time transactions.

• Blockchain provides verifiable, machine-readable sources of truth for autonomous agents.

• Institutions may adopt crypto gradually; rate moves and liquidity unlocking could increase flows.

AI agents require crypto: scalable, programmable money rails for real‑time finance — read how institutions and Bitcoin fit into the picture.

Coinbase’s John D’Agostino says expecting AI agents to run on legacy financial rails is unrealistic; crypto and blockchain offer the speed and programmable money AI requires to operate effectively in markets.

What role does crypto play for AI agents?

AI agents rely on fast, programmable, and verifiable payment and data rails, and crypto supplies those capabilities. Blockchain offers machine-readable settlement, on‑chain truth and near-instant transfers, enabling agents to execute strategies and settle positions without the latency and manual reconciliation of legacy systems.

How will AI agents use blockchain-based money rails?

AI agents will use blockchain rails to transact micro-payments, execute automated trades, and access auditable data feeds. Machine-to-machine payments can be near-instant and atomic. As John D’Agostino noted on CNBC, asking agents to operate on century-old financial rails is like streaming on a dial‑up modem — it won’t scale.

Coinbase’s John D’Agostino believes AI agents require crypto to operate effectively in financial markets. Source: CNBC

Why are legacy finance rails inadequate for AI?

Traditional financial infrastructure was designed for human-paced settlement, not automated, high-frequency, machine-to-machine activity. These systems incur batching, manual checks and latency. Blockchain and crypto enable continuous, programmatic settlement and reduce reconciliation overhead for autonomous agents.

How does Bitcoin compare to gold for institutional investors?

Bitcoin is digital, programmable and easily transferred across borders. Unlike gold, Bitcoin can be moved, tokenized and integrated into smart contracts, offering yield opportunities and composability. D’Agostino emphasizes Bitcoin’s unique characteristics — not a direct gold analog — particularly for portfolios seeking assets that outpace expanding money supply.

Context: The Federal Reserve cut rates on Sept. 17, 2025, and market commentary from JPMorgan and Jamie Dimon has varied on future cuts. Interest rate moves can unlock liquidity from cash and money-market products into risk assets, including crypto.

When will institutions meaningfully increase crypto allocations?

Institutions are cautious and methodical. Pension funds, endowments and sovereign wealth funds typically adopt new asset classes incrementally. Expect a measured increase driven by regulatory clarity, custodial solutions, and shifts in interest rates that release parked cash into alternatives.

Are institutions “lemmings” in crypto adoption?

No. According to D’Agostino, institutions act deliberately. They use due diligence, governance and staged allocations rather than herd-based moves. Adoption is steady, not a single explosive wave.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast must money rails be for AI agents to trade effectively?

AI agents need near‑real‑time settlement and programmable conditional transfers. Millisecond-level decision-making requires settlement that minimizes latency and supports atomic operations, which blockchain rails can deliver where legacy batching cannot.

Can decentralized oracles fix data reliability for AI?

Yes. Decentralized oracles provide cryptographic proofs and multiple data sources so AI agents can rely on tamper-resistant inputs for automated decision-making and reduce single-source failures.

Key Takeaways

• Speed matters: Blockchain enables the low-latency settlement AI agents require.
• Programmability: Crypto lets money be encoded into contracts and agent logic.
• Institutional adoption: Will be gradual; macro factors and custody solutions are key triggers.

Conclusion

AI agents and crypto are complementary: AI agents need fast, verifiable, programmable rails and crypto provides them. Expect steady institutional flows as macro conditions and infrastructure evolve. Stay informed as on‑chain tools and regulatory clarity shape adoption and real‑world deployment.