TL;DR
- Franklin Templeton argues that AI Agents are the next “killer” use case for blockchain, according to its head of digital assets.
- Sandy Kaul noted that networks like Aptos, Solana and BNB Chain are better suited for the agentic economy due to their settlement times measured in seconds.
- Coinbase’s x402 protocol processed $15 million in volume and over 109 million transactions since its launch in May 2025.
Franklin Templeton identified AI agents as the next definitive use case for blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Sandy Kaul, head of digital assets and innovation at the firm, published an analysis of more than 1,800 words in which she argued that the autonomous agents economy will increase demand for blockchain protocols capable of processing machine-to-machine micropayments. Kaul contended that traditional card networks are incompatible with agentic payments due to their high fees and long settlement times.
In her analysis she raised a central question about investment strategy: whether the usual model of buying shares in companies aligned with artificial intelligence will remain effective in the era of AI agents, or whether exposure will need to be redirected toward decentralized infrastructure. Kaul noted that networks such as Aptos, Solana and BNB Chain settle transactions in seconds, compared to the one-to-three business day timeframe of the Visa network, positioning them as a natural infrastructure for the agentic economy.
— Franklin Templeton Digital Assets (@FTDA_US) July 21, 2026
Payments and AI Agents: Crypto Infrastructure Takes the Lead
A joint report published the previous week by Visa and analytics platform Artemis pointed to the same diagnosis. The document concluded that traditional cards, designed for low-frequency human commerce, prove insufficient for AI agents, which require near-zero fees and near-instant settlement for micropayments to be commercially viable.
The crypto industry is already recording clear signs of adoption. The x402 payments protocol, developed by Coinbase and launched in May 2025, processed $15 million in adjusted volume and more than 109 million transactions, according to the same Visa and Artemis report. Additionally, Visa’s crypto division and Tempo —backed by Stripe— launched AI tools in March of this year.
Visa’s solution allows autonomous agents to execute same-day payments, an advancement that demonstrates how traditional players are attempting to adapt to a demand that, according to Franklin Templeton, could completely redefine the technology investment landscape.
