Pay it Forward: The Rise of Agentic Payments On-Chain

For much of the internet’s history, technology has supported human transactions. Increasingly, it’s executing them directly.  On this episode of the Crypto Brief, our hosts examine agentic payments: transactions executed by autonomous AI systems. Based on pre-programmed directives, these agents discover services, access resources, and settle payments without hands-on human involvement.  This discussion uncovers what becomes possible when technology participates in the economy as an actor, and what new obligations emerge for the people designing—and overseeing—those systems. Episode Topics:  [0:00] Intro [1:22] Defining AI Agents [2:14] Trends in Agentic Payments [11:15] Products, Protocols & Partnerships [14:41] An Overview of the Machine Payment Protocol [16:26] Risks & Considerations [23:27] Where Stablecoins Fit in [29:02] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech.  Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:22) - Defining AI Agents(00:02:14) - Trends in Agentic Payments(00:11:15) - Products, Protocols & Partnerships(00:14:41) - An Overview of the Machine Payment Protocol(00:16:26) - Risks & Considerations(00:23:27) - Where Stablecoins Fit in(00:29:02) - Final Thoughts & Outro