BlackRock explores 'machine-native economy': Assessing the role of AI agents in crypto payments

BlackRock's digital asset research team released a report titled 'Machine-Native Economy,' proposing that AI agents require programmable infrastructure like blockchain and stablecoins for autonomous payments. The report highlights that while stablecoins are currently the primary tool for agent payments, Bitcoin is increasingly marginalized in actual payment scenarios despite its role as a store of value. Data from TRM Labs indicates that while x402 protocol transactions have reached significant volumes, only a small fraction is attributed to genuine AI agents, suggesting the sector remains in its early stages.