AI-driven tools could soon become the biggest users of stablecoins, according to Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz, amid a record-breaking surge in stablecoin transactions and adoption.
Key Takeaways
- AI agents may soon dominate stablecoin usage, handling payments like groceries and services autonomously
- Stablecoin transactions hit $3 trillion in August 2025, a 92 percent jump from the previous month
- Major companies like Visa, Shopify, and Spar are rolling out stablecoin payment options, signaling mainstream adoption
- Institutional players are rapidly integrating stablecoins, with 90 percent exploring or using them
What Happened?
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz shared a bold prediction: AI agents will become the largest users of stablecoins, transforming how everyday transactions are handled. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Asia Leaders Conference in Hong Kong, Novogratz described a near future where digital agents buy groceries and settle payments via stablecoins rather than using traditional platforms like Venmo or wire transfers.
His statements come as stablecoin transaction volumes skyrocketed to $3 trillion in August, marking a 92 percent increase from July, according to DefiLlama.
AI and Stablecoins: A Powerful Combination
Novogratz envisions a world where AI-powered assistants know your preferences, dietary needs, and shopping habits, and can autonomously purchase goods on your behalf. These agents would rely on stablecoins to complete transactions across global marketplaces.
“Your grocery agent, who knows what you like to eat, knows that you’re on a diet or not on a diet, is going to figure out what groceries to buy from where,” Novogratz said in a Bloomberg interview.
He emphasized that such agents would use digital currencies over crypto rails, not traditional banking methods.
While Novogratz did not provide an exact timeline, he estimated this shift could occur within the next one to five years, driven by advances in autonomous AI systems and the increasing efficiency of blockchain payments.
The Institutional Embrace of Stablecoins
Stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies, have grown far beyond niche crypto assets. Their market capitalization soared from $4 billion in 2020 to nearly $200 billion in early 2025, with major players like Tether and Circle’s USDC leading the charge.
Some key developments:
- Visa expanded support for stablecoins like USDG, PYUSD, and EURC on its settlement platform
- Shopify integrated USDC payments through Coinbase, making stablecoin purchases more accessible to merchants
- Spar introduced crypto payments at its stores across Switzerland
- Apple, Google, X, and Airbnb are reportedly exploring stablecoin-based cross-border payments to reduce fees and improve speed
This institutional momentum shows how stablecoins are evolving into critical infrastructure for modern payments.
AI Agents in the Web3 Ecosystem
AI agents are also expected to play a central role in Web3 platforms, particularly Ethereum. Coinbase developers and Web3 startups believe these agents will soon become the most active users of decentralized applications.
Examples include:
- Clanker, an AI agent that generates and launches meme coins, has already generated over $34 million in user fees
- Anoma, a firm developing AI-focused intent-based blockchain infrastructure
- Kite AI, which raised $18 million in Series A funding led by PayPal Ventures to build AI agent infrastructure for decentralized finance
Matthew Graham, founder of Ryze Labs, echoed Novogratz’s views, saying these AI systems will eventually make personalized decisions and handle financial tasks, adding, “this is very naturally a crypto rail situation.”
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience watching the fintech space evolve, this is one of the most exciting turning points we’ve seen. AI agents are not just another tech trend, they represent a new class of financial actors. What stood out to me most is the sheer scale of adoption. When you combine autonomous decision-making with real-time, low-fee global payments, you have a recipe for disruption.
We’re not just looking at convenience here, we’re looking at a shift in who is making financial decisions and how. If AI agents do become the biggest users of stablecoins, they’ll reshape both consumer behavior and the financial infrastructure behind it.
