MoonPay has introduced a new open source wallet framework designed to help AI agents securely manage crypto transactions across multiple blockchains.
Key Takeaways
- MoonPay launched the Open Wallet Standard to support AI driven crypto transactions.
- The framework prevents direct access to private keys, improving security.
- Over 15 organizations including PayPal, Circle, and Ethereum Foundation support the initiative.
- The standard enables cross chain functionality across networks like Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin.
What Happened?
MoonPay announced the release of its Open Wallet Standard on March 23 as an open source framework aimed at standardizing how AI agents use crypto wallets. The initiative is backed by major industry players and focuses on improving security and interoperability in the growing AI crypto ecosystem.
JUST IN: @moonpay open-sources the @OpenWallet (OWS), giving AI agents a single protocol to store keys, manage wallets, and sign transactions across every major blockchain. pic.twitter.com/GGluhekjLM
— CoinDesk (@CoinDesk) March 23, 2026
Open Wallet Standard Aims to Fix Fragmentation
MoonPay has launched the Open Wallet Standard to address a growing challenge in the AI agent economy, where different frameworks have been using inconsistent methods for managing crypto wallets and private keys.
As AI agents increasingly perform tasks like paying for APIs, purchasing data, and accessing compute services, the lack of a unified wallet infrastructure has created inefficiencies and security risks. Each system often relies on its own approach, making it difficult for agents to interact across platforms.
The Open Wallet Standard introduces a universal interface that allows AI agents to hold funds and sign transactions across multiple blockchain networks using a single wallet system. This removes the need for fragmented wallet setups and improves compatibility across protocols.
Focus on Secure Key Management
A core feature of the Open Wallet Standard is its approach to private key security. Instead of exposing keys directly to AI agents, the framework uses a signing API model.
- Agents request a transaction signature without accessing the private key.
- Keys remain encrypted and are only briefly decrypted during signing.
- Sensitive data is wiped from memory immediately after use.
This design ensures that private keys do not appear in logs, configuration files, or AI model context, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.
However, the current implementation is software-based, meaning the signing process occurs within the same system environment as the AI agent. While protections such as memory locking and data wiping are in place, the framework acknowledges that highly privileged attackers could still access key material during the signing process.
Broad Industry Support Signals Growing Interest
The initiative has attracted support from a wide range of organizations, including PayPal, Circle, Ripple, the Ethereum Foundation, and the Solana Foundation. Additional contributors include infrastructure and data firms such as LayerZero, Dynamic, Allium, and others.
MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto Wright said:
The framework has been released under an MIT license and is available on platforms such as GitHub, npm, and PyPI, allowing developers to freely adopt and modify it.
Expanding AI Crypto Use Cases
MoonPay revealed that more than 340,000 on-chain wallets were linked to AI agents in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting rapid adoption. Many of these systems currently rely on insecure practices such as storing private keys in environment variables or plaintext files.
The Open Wallet Standard separates authorization from key custody, allowing AI agents to initiate transactions without directly holding sensitive credentials.
The standard supports a wide range of blockchain networks, including:
- Ethereum and EVM compatible chains like Polygon, Arbitrum, and Base.
- Solana, Bitcoin, TON, Tron, and Sui.
Industry projections suggest the AI crypto sector could grow from $5.1 billion in 2025 to $55.2 billion by 2035, with AI agents potentially handling up to 30 percent of crypto transactions.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I see this as a foundational move for the AI crypto space. In my experience, infrastructure gaps like wallet standards are often what slow down real adoption. MoonPay is clearly trying to position itself at the center of the agent economy, and this move makes sense.
What stands out to me is the focus on security without sacrificing usability. While it is not perfect yet, especially with software level limitations, it is a strong step forward. I found that if this standard gains traction, it could quietly become a backbone for how AI agents interact with crypto in the coming years.
