Rebeca Moen
Apr 28, 2026 22:14
AI-driven economic activity is challenging banks to redefine roles in trust, programmable money, and risk governance. Here’s what that means.
As AI agents start executing payments, managing contracts, and even requesting financing, banks are being forced to rethink their roles in a rapidly evolving economy. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, speaking at a recent “Current” event, described this shift as the rise of an AI-powered economic system—one where autonomous agents play a central role in transactions and corporate operations. For banks, the questions are big: How do you create trust in machine-speed commerce? And how do you govern autonomous economic activity?
This so-called agentic economy combines AI-driven decision-making with programmable financial infrastructure, signaling a major transformation in how money, contracts, and credit are managed. Banks, traditionally seen as providers of products like loans or accounts, are now being challenged to act as permissioning and governance layers for autonomous agents. According to Allaire, “AI agents will conduct transactions, will execute and build contracts, and AI agents will become a critical part of how every corporation runs.”
Trust as a Foundation in an AI-Driven Economy
In this new system, banks’ roles center on trust and control. While AI agents can execute payments or reconcile invoices, banks remain key in authenticating identities, assigning permissions, and maintaining legal accountability. For example, a machine might automate a payment, but a bank will determine whether the agent has the authority to act, under what limits, and with what recourse if something goes wrong. This governance is critical as economic activity becomes more automated and continuous.
Visa, among other players, is already preparing for agent-driven commerce, emphasizing how financial networks are adapting to this shift. Banks that embrace this change early could position themselves as essential gatekeepers in an increasingly decentralized financial architecture.
The rise of the agentic economy also brings programmable money into sharper focus. Stablecoins and tokenized deposits are emerging as critical tools in enabling 24/7, automated transactions. DBS and Citi, for instance, are already experimenting with tokenized assets that integrate programmable features into traditional cash management. Stablecoins like USDC provide an early look at how money will function in a world of continuous, machine-led transactions. These technologies allow for real-time settlement and greater interoperability, key factors in supporting the demands of autonomous commerce.
Rethinking Credit in a Machine-Driven Economy
AI-driven systems don’t just change payments and settlements; they fundamentally alter how credit is managed. While automation might streamline processes, lending remains a judgment-heavy business. Banks will need to adapt their credit risk models to account for real-time data and embedded decision-making. For example, an AI procurement agent might trigger working capital loans when inventory levels drop, or a treasury agent might request liquidity based on verified receivables. This shifts banks from episodic underwriting to continuous, data-driven credit governance.
The challenge? Mistakes can scale just as quickly as transactions. Continuous monitoring and embedded controls will be non-negotiable for banks operating in this new paradigm.
The Road Ahead
Banks that act now to integrate digital asset infrastructure, programmable money, and enhanced governance systems are not just experimenting—they’re positioning themselves to define their future roles. As the interface of finance shifts to AI-driven platforms and autonomous workflows, the institutions that can offer trust, governance, and deep contextual understanding will remain central. The agentic economy may be automated, but its success still hinges on the human judgment and oversight that banks are uniquely positioned to provide.
With programmable money already gaining traction and regulatory frameworks evolving, the groundwork is being laid for a financial system where AI and automation dominate. For banks, the opportunity lies in building the muscle to navigate this shift and ensure they remain indispensable in the age of AI-driven commerce.
Image source: Shutterstock
