AI Agents' Blockchain Usage May Not Boost Token Value, Warns Fidelity

Fidelity Digital Assets is sounding a warning to crypto investors about the impact of artificial intelligence on cryptocurrency values.

The company notes that AI agents are increasingly using blockchain infrastructure for payments, data purchase, and computing resource access. In the year through April, these agents settled over $73 million in transactions through 176 million blockchain transactions, according to Keyrock.

Fidelity analyst Max Wadington believes AI could lower barriers to blockchain development and participation by making applications cheaper and faster to build. However, this ease of replication may shift competitive advantages towards liquidity, distribution, security, regulatory integration, and trust.

Banks, fintech companies, and technology firms are developing alternative payment systems for AI agents that offer lower costs, stronger performance, regulatory clarity, and established distribution networks. This competition could reduce growth in blockchain usage even as the AI economy grows.