Why Wall Street’s biggest asset manager thinks artificial intelligence will supercharge digital assets
Reported by CoinDesk · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
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Summary
BlackRock has identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a significant potential driver for digital asset adoption. According to a BlackRock paper, AI autonomous agents could use digital assets to make small, automated payments and access services such as data and computing power. Stablecoins are expected to be the first major beneficiaries due to their stable value and 24/7 payment capabilities. The concept of tokenized claims on computing capacity being traded or financed via digital asset infrastructure is also discussed, though markets and contracts in this area are still undeveloped.
Why it matters
The source highlights that AI could enable "machine-native intelligence" with digital assets providing necessary payment and settlement infrastructure, potentially transforming how services are purchased and financed autonomously. This could reshape commerce by allowing machines to independently execute financial transactions and source resources, which may lead to increased adoption and utility of digital assets. The source does not explicitly detail the broader market or regulatory impacts.
Key context
BlackRock's view is positioned within the growing intersection of AI, blockchain, and digital finance. It references early use cases like Coinbase's x402 protocol that allow AI agents to pay for online resources. The paper notes that while agent payments are early-stage, there is anticipated growth in cloud computing demand, citing analyst estimates of $1.1 trillion in revenue for major cloud providers by 2030. However, liquid markets for standardized compute claims or contracts have not yet been established.
Key numbers and entities
BlackRock; Coinbase (x402 protocol); major cloud providers Amazon, Microsoft, and Google with an estimated $1.1 trillion revenue by 2030 from cloud businesses. No specific figures on current market size or agent payment volumes are provided.
What remains unclear
Details on how quickly agentic commerce will scale, the timeline for developing standardized compute contracts, and the regulatory or technological hurdles for these markets are not established. The source also does not elaborate on the specific mechanics of AI agents using stablecoins or digital assets in practice beyond the conceptual level.