Coinbase announces first AI-to-AI crypto transaction

Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) has facilitated its first-ever cryptocurrency transaction conducted between two AI agents, marking a significant milestone in integrating artificial intelligence with crypto functionalities.

In the transaction, the agents exchanged crypto tokens for AI tokens, aided by USDC on Base, the crypto exchange’s blockchain project.

CEO Brian Armstrong took to X on Friday to provide additional details. AI agents “can use USDC on Base to transact with humans, merchants, or other AIs. Those transactions are instant, global, and free,” he said.

AI agents currently have limited performance because they can’t own bank accounts or operate traditional payment systems.

“AI agents cannot get bank accounts, but they can get crypto wallets,” Armstrong said, calling it a major step in getting AI’s help in exchanging services and capabilities without human intervention.

Just last week, he urged AI firms to incorporate crypto wallets in their large language models ((LLMs)).

LLM is the technology behind AI systems such as Microsoft (MSFT)-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Claude developed by Anthropic, whose investors include Amazon (AMZN) and Alphabet’s (GOOGL) (GOOG) Google.

“Let’s help AI agents get work done (on your behalf) and participate in the economy,” he added.