As autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents begin conducting digital transactions independently, industry observers are assessing which blockchain networks are best positioned to support what some describe as a rapidly expanding “agentic economy.”
Developers and technology firms are increasingly exploring digital wallets designed specifically for AI agents—software programs capable of making payments and executing transactions without direct human intervention. These systems are intended to enable machines to transact with one another at high speeds, potentially processing large volumes of low-value payments.
Recently, Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) introduced “Agentic Wallets” built on its x402 protocol. The wallets are designed to hold USDC balances and facilitate digital asset transactions. The launch has drawn attention to the broader question of whether existing blockchain networks can scale to meet future transaction demands.
Some developers argue that while current infrastructure may support present transaction levels, significantly higher volumes could test system capacity. Developer John Calhoon, in a recent social media post, compared transaction throughput across different networks. He noted that Coinbase’s Layer-2 network, Base, can handle current volumes of agent-based payments, but may face constraints as activity grows.
Base operates as a Layer-2 solution built on Ethereum, meaning transactions are processed off the main Ethereum chain before being finalized. According to public documentation, withdrawals from Base to Ethereum involve a waiting period, and the network relies on a centralized sequencer to order transactions. Industry participants note that such mechanisms are common among Layer-2 scaling solutions but may introduce additional operational considerations.
In contrast, proponents of BSV argue that its base-layer scaling approach allows for significantly higher transaction throughput and lower fees. Supporters claim BSV can process large numbers of transactions per second with fees measured in fractions of a cent, making it potentially suitable for high-frequency, low-value payments between AI agents.
Calhoon stated that in an environment where trillions of AI agents could conduct trillions of micro-transactions daily, transaction costs and settlement speed would become critical factors. He also announced plans to launch a marketplace featuring AI agents built on BSV, with expectations of expanding the number of available agents over time.
Beyond Coinbase, other technology and payments firms are also exploring machine-driven transaction systems. Payments company Stripe has implemented x402-related payments on Base, and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) recently introduced “AP2,” developed in collaboration with major credit card and payment service providers.
The x402 protocol references the HTTP “402 Payment Required” status code, originally envisioned as part of a native internet payment layer that was never fully implemented. Developers see x402 as an effort to enable seamless online payments at scale. However, analysts note that the long-term viability of such systems will depend on whether underlying blockchain networks can support sustained high transaction volumes efficiently and securely.
As AI-driven applications continue to expand, infrastructure providers are competing to position their networks as the foundation for machine-to-machine commerce. Industry observers say the outcome will likely depend on a combination of scalability, cost efficiency, reliability, and developer adoption rather than branding or community preferences.
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