KEY FACTS: On February 11, 2026, Coinbase announced the launch of Agentic Wallets, the first purpose-built crypto wallet infrastructure designed specifically for autonomous AI agents. This innovation enables AI programs to independently spend, earn, and trade cryptocurrencies, such as holding and transacting USDC on the Base network, while performing tasks like monitoring DeFi positions, automatically rebalancing portfolios for better yields (even at 3 a.m.), executing trades, paying for compute resources, API access, data streams, storage, and participating in creator economies. Building on the AgentKit framework introduced in November 2024, Agentic Wallets leverage Coinbase's x402 payments protocol (which has processed over 50 million transactions) and incorporate user-defined programmable guardrails, spending limits, and permissions for secure, self-custodial operation without requiring real-time human approval.
Source: Coinbase Developer Platform/ X
Coinbase Launches Agentic Wallets for autonomous AI agents
Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has unveiled an innovation in the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology termed "Agentic Wallets", the first wallet infrastructure specifically designed for AI agents. Announced on February 11, 2026, this development empowers autonomous AI programs, capable of independent decision-making and action, to spend, earn, and trade cryptocurrencies without constant human intervention.
The launch marks a significant evolution from current AI agents, which primarily offer advice, summarize information, or assist with tasks but lack the ability to execute financial transactions on their own. As Coinbase programmers Erik Reppel and Josh Nickerson explained in the company's developer platform post, "The next generation of agents won't just advise, they'll act." They envision AI agents handling a wide range of autonomous financial activities, including monitoring decentralized finance (DeFi) positions, automatically rebalancing portfolios when better opportunities arise (even at odd hours like 3 a.m.), acquiring API keys, purchasing computational resources, accessing premium data streams, paying for storage, and participating in emerging creator economies.
Agentic Wallets build directly on Coinbase's earlier AgentKit framework, introduced in November 2024, which allowed developers to embed wallet functionality into AI agents. While AgentKit focused on integration during agent creation, Agentic Wallets take the next step by providing ready-to-use wallet infrastructure that can be equipped to virtually any AI agent quickly and securely.
The system leverages Coinbase's battle-tested x402 payments protocol, a machine-native payment standard co-developed with internet partners to facilitate autonomous AI transactions. This protocol has already processed over 50 million transactions, demonstrating its reliability for agentic use cases. Agentic Wallets operate primarily on Base, Coinbase's Ethereum Layer-2 network, enabling efficient, low-cost execution of trades, liquidity management, and yield optimization across protocols.
Key features include robust programmable guardrails and user-defined permissions. Users can set specific controls, such as spending limits or approved actions, ensuring agents operate within safe boundaries. Once permissions are granted, agents gain true autonomy, for instance, detecting a superior yield opportunity overnight and reallocating funds instantly without needing further approval.
Coinbase emphasizes enterprise-grade security in the design. Agentic Wallets are described as sandboxed and self-custodial, with private keys isolated to prevent unauthorized access. This approach integrates seamlessly with Coinbase's existing custody and compliance infrastructure, positioning the product more as payments tooling than a traditional consumer wallet or simple SDK. Reppel, head of engineering for the Coinbase Developer Platform, highlighted that it is a purpose-built wallet to work with an agent as quickly as possible.
The introduction of Agentic Wallets aligns with a growing industry consensus that cryptocurrency, particularly stablecoins like USDC on networks such as Base, serves as the ideal native currency for AI agents. Unlike traditional banking systems, which require legal identities and human oversight, crypto wallets enable instant, global, low-friction transactions between humans, merchants, and other AI entities.
Industry figures have long anticipated this convergence. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has previously championed the idea, stating that AI agents "cannot get bank accounts, but they can get crypto wallets." Other leaders echo this view too. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire predicts billions of AI agents will use crypto and stablecoins for everyday payments within three to five years, while former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has asserted that "native currency for AI agents is going to be crypto," handling tasks from buying tickets to paying bills. Khal, the founder of INLEO has also berated that AI agents are the future of decentralized crypto operations, as it premieres the Rafiki 3.0 AI on INLEO.
This launch also fits into wider trends, including similar developments on networks like Bitcoin's Lightning Network (via protocols such as L402) and initiatives from companies like Crypto.com, which has explored personal AI agents for daily tasks.
Coinbase is enabling AI agents to become active participants in on-chain economies to help pave the way for self-sustaining "machine economies" where AI entities manage their own finances, optimize resources, and interact programmatically. The tool targets developers building with leading AI models, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, and emerging frameworks.
As the autonomous AI boom accelerates, Agentic Wallets represent a great step toward making blockchain the backbone for AI-driven commerce. With built-in security, rapid deployment, and seamless integration into existing ecosystems, Coinbase's latest offering could accelerate the adoption of agentic AI across decentralized finance and beyond. Developers can explore the full details and implementation guides on the Coinbase Developer Platform.
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