Crypto wallet startup Oobit, backed by stablecoin issuer Tether, has launched virtual Visa cards that allow AI agents to spend USDT (USDt) on behalf of businesses without human intervention. The new product, called Agent Cards, is funded directly from Tether’s treasury, eliminating the need for fiat conversions or traditional on-ramps.
How Agent Cards work
Agent Cards enable AI agents to make online purchases autonomously, from renewing software subscriptions to topping up advertising budgets or spinning up cloud infrastructure. The cards are integrated with popular AI agent frameworks including OpenAI, Claude, AutoGen, and LangChain, allowing businesses to set up automated spending workflows.
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Each AI agent receives a single card, ensuring a clean identity and audit trail. Spend limits and merchant restrictions are enforced at the transaction layer, meaning agents can only operate within their authorized scope. Businesses must pass a know-your-business compliance check before setting up the cards.
Limited rollout to businesses
Oobit launched Agent Cards to a founding group of businesses on Thursday, with onboarding expanding to a limited number of additional companies through June 30. The cards are not yet available to the general public.
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Oobit advisor Alex Obchakevich noted on X that AI agents using the cards will also be able to trade crypto and stocks, expanding their potential use cases beyond simple payments.
Industry context: The rise of AI agents in crypto
The launch comes amid growing predictions that AI agents will become dominant users of blockchain-based payments. In April, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said there would be more AI agents transacting online than humans very soon. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire predicted in January that billions of AI agents would be transacting onchain within three to five years.
Oobit took the prediction further, stating that the next trillion users on the internet would be AI agents. The Agent Cards represent a concrete step toward that vision, giving machines direct access to stablecoin liquidity.
Why this matters
The ability for AI agents to spend USDT without human approval could significantly accelerate automated business operations. By removing the need for fiat on-ramps and manual approvals, companies can build fully autonomous workflows for recurring expenses, cloud infrastructure, and advertising. However, the system’s reliance on stablecoins and smart contract controls raises questions about risk management and oversight as machine-led spending scales.
Conclusion
Oobit’s Agent Cards mark a notable milestone in the convergence of AI and crypto payments, offering businesses a way to let machines manage routine spending autonomously. With backing from Tether and integration with major AI frameworks, the product could help shape how automated payments evolve in the coming years.
FAQs
Q1: What are Oobit Agent Cards?
Agent Cards are virtual Visa cards issued by Oobit that allow AI agents to spend USDT autonomously on behalf of businesses, funded directly from Tether’s treasury.
Q2: Who can use Agent Cards?
Agent Cards are currently available to a founding group of businesses, with limited onboarding for additional companies through June 30, 2026. Businesses must pass a know-your-business compliance check.
Q3: What can AI agents do with these cards?
AI agents can make online purchases such as renewing SaaS subscriptions, topping up ad budgets, spinning up cloud infrastructure, and trading crypto or stocks, all without human intervention.
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