BlackRock Sees Convergence of AI and Digital Assets Fueling Autonomous Commerce

BlackRock's latest research report highlights a significant convergence between artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets. According to the report, AI and digital assets share a common origin story, with AI systems representing machine-native intelligence and digital assets serving as machine-native money.

The report argues that this convergence is no longer theoretical, as autonomous software agents are beginning to plan, transact, and even pay for their own computing power. The rails they're using look a lot like blockchain infrastructure, which provides programmable rails that let intelligence connect directly to economic activity.

Stablecoins, in particular, are leading the charge in agentic commerce, with over $300 billion in circulating market capitalization as of September 2026 and adjusted transaction volume exceeding $11 trillion across 2025. The report notes that stablecoin regulation is a key support for continued adoption, citing improvements in regulatory frameworks such as the GENIUS Act in the United States and MiCA in the European Union.