Ant International has partnered with Visa and Mastercard to establish a new standard for payments processed through AI agents, aiming to mitigate risks associated with fraud and enhance interoperability across platforms. The collaboration follows McKinsey projections estimating that AI agents could handle between $3 trillion and $5 trillion in global consumer commerce by 2030. Security remains a critical concern, with Ant International’s chief innovation officer highlighting the potential for AI agents to produce hallucinations—incorrect or misleading responses—that could compromise trust in digital transactions.
The initiative focuses on creating a ‘Know-Your-Agent’ framework, ensuring each AI-powered payment system is linked to a verified entity and monitored for behavior. This approach aims to streamline registration processes, allowing agents to operate seamlessly across different payment networks without redundant verification steps. Pablo Fourez, Mastercard’s chief digital officer, emphasized the need for standardized frameworks to support the growth of agentic commerce, particularly as digital wallets—already dominant in emerging markets—expand their role in e-commerce and point-of-sale transactions.
Ant International, which operates the Alipay+ system and has partnered with over 50 e-wallets, plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem. The company separated from its parent, Hangzhou-based Ant Group, three years ago, while Alipay continues to integrate AI features, such as automated recurring orders for services like Starbucks coffee or ride-hailing via Didi. These AI tools enable users to set automated payments, though they must still confirm transactions manually. The collaboration between Visa, Mastercard, and Ant International underscores the urgency of securing AI-driven financial transactions as digital payment methods evolve.
Digital wallets accounted for 56% of global e-commerce value and 33% of point-of-sale value in 2025, totaling over $13 trillion in spending, according to Worldpay. As AI agents become more prevalent, ensuring robust security and interoperability will be essential for scaling agentic commerce globally.
