Visa and Crypto.com Take Diverging Paths in AI-Driven Finance Shift
Visa Inc. and Crypto.com are taking diverging—but closely connected—paths into the next phase of the digital economy, where artificial intelligence is reshaping both financial infrastructure and the workforce. While Visa is building tools that allow AI agents to transact autonomously on blockchain rails, Crypto.com is restructuring its operations around AI integration, cutting jobs as automation becomes central to its strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Visa launched a CLI tool enabling AI agents to execute payments autonomously using on-chain wallets.
- The system uses account abstraction and smart contracts to enable programmable spending.
- Built-in controls allow humans to set limits, whitelists and expiration rules.
- Crypto.com plans to cut up to 12% of its workforce as it expands AI integration.
- The developments highlight a broader shift toward AI-driven financial infrastructure and automation.
Visa Inc. is pushing deeper into the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital payments, releasing an open-source tool that allows AI agents to execute transactions autonomously – just as parts of the crypto industry begin cutting human roles in favor of automation.
Visa Builds Infrastructure for Autonomous Commerce
The company’s crypto division introduced a command line interface, or CLI, designed to let AI systems operate their own on-chain wallets and spend funds without real-time human approval. The tool enables agents built on large language models to purchase services such as cloud computing, API access and datasets, using stablecoins like USDC or other digital assets. Once funded, the agent can identify a need, initiate payment and continue operating independently.
This architecture reflects a shift toward programmable finance. The system relies on account abstraction and smart contracts, allowing wallets to function under predefined rules rather than requiring manual authorization for each transaction.
That design makes autonomous spending viable at scale, while a built-in policy engine ensures human oversight remains at the boundaries. Developers can set spending caps, restrict transactions to approved counterparties and define expiration timelines for allocated funds.
The choice to release the product as a CLI rather than a traditional application programming interface underscores Visa’s focus on developer adoption. Most AI agents are currently built and deployed in terminal-based environments, and integrating directly into those workflows reduces friction. The approach mirrors strategies used by other infrastructure providers, including Stripe Inc., which launched agent-compatible payment tools in 2025 as competition for the emerging AI-driven commerce layer intensifies.
Crypto.com Cuts Jobs as AI Integration Accelerates
The release comes as the broader industry grapples with the operational consequences of the same technology. Singapore-based Crypto.com is planning to cut as much as 12% of its workforce as it expands internal AI systems, according to Chief Executive Officer Kris Marszalek. The reduction – affecting roughly 180 employees – follows the company’s push to position artificial intelligence as a core business function, including the launch of its ai.com platform earlier this year.
We are joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI. Companies that do not make this pivot immediately will fail. Companies that move slowly will be left behind. Companies that move immediately and pair the best AI tools with top-performers will achieve a level of…
— Kris | ai.com (@kris) March 19, 2026
Marszalek said the company is “joining the list of companies integrating enterprise-wide AI,” adding that firms that fail to adapt risk falling behind. A spokesperson for the exchange said the layoffs are part of a broader effort to reallocate resources toward growth areas, declining to specify which roles would be affected.
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This highlights a structural shift underway across both finance and technology. On one side, companies like Visa are building the infrastructure for autonomous economic agents – systems that can transact, allocate capital and operate continuously without human intervention. On the other, firms are beginning to adjust their labor models in response to those capabilities.
The implications extend beyond efficiency gains. If widely adopted, AI-native payment tools could reshape how digital services are consumed, with machines acting as direct economic participants rather than intermediaries. At the same time, the acceleration of AI integration raises questions about workforce displacement, particularly in sectors already undergoing rapid automation.
For now, the two trends are unfolding in parallel: the build-out of infrastructure to support machine-driven commerce, and the early signs of its impact on employment. Together, they point to a reconfiguration of how value is created, distributed and managed in the digital economy.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team.
