Coinbase has introduced Agentic Wallets, the first wallet infrastructure purpose-built for autonomous AI agents.
Key takeaways:
Agentic Wallets are designed specifically for AI agents, not human users.
Agents can autonomously trade, rebalance DeFi positions, and pay for services.
The system runs on Base with gasless transactions.
Security includes programmable spending limits and TEE-protected private keys.
The system enables agents to spend, earn, and trade independently within minutes, while operating under programmable security guardrails powered by the battle-tested x402 payments protocol.
The Shift From Interactive to Autonomous AI
AI agents are rapidly evolving. Today, they can answer questions, summarize data, and assist with workflows – but they still rely on human approval for any financial action. An agent can recommend a trade but cannot execute it. It can identify a paid API but cannot purchase access. Financial autonomy has been the missing layer.
The next generation of AI agents will move beyond advice into execution. They will rebalance DeFi positions automatically, pay for compute and API access, participate in creator economies, and monetize their own outputs. To function autonomously, agents require native access to programmable, instant, on-chain money.
What Makes Agentic Wallets Different
Unlike traditional embedded wallets, Agentic Wallets are designed specifically for autonomous financial operations.
Coinbase abstracts complex on-chain interactions into plug-and-play skills. Agents can authenticate, fund wallets, send assets, trade tokens, and earn yield without custom transaction logic.
The x402 Standard
At the core of the system is the x402 protocol, a machine-to-machine payment standard built for autonomous AI use cases. With over 50 million transactions processed, x402 enables API paywalls, automated resource access, and programmatic payments without human input.
Agents can transact gaslessly on Base, ensuring uninterrupted 24/7 operation without being halted by insufficient network fees.
Autonomy is paired with strict controls, including session caps, transaction limits, enclave-isolated private keys, and built-in transaction risk screening under Coinbase’s security framework.
The Bigger Shift
The launch reflects a broader transition in AI – from advisory systems to execution systems. Instead of suggesting actions, agents can now perform them independently within defined guardrails, marking a significant step toward machine-driven financial ecosystems.
