BlackRock Speaks Out: AI Agents Could Become New Bitcoin Buyers, Payment Scenes Set for Explosive Turning Point

Gate News reports that in March 2026, Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, stated that AI agents in the future may prefer to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for payments. This view is reshaping market perceptions of the practical value of digital currencies. He defines cryptocurrencies as “computational native currencies,” emphasizing their natural fit within automated systems.

From a technical perspective, AI agents need a payment tool that requires no human intervention and can settle transactions in real time, and Bitcoin perfectly meets this need. Compared to traditional banking systems with settlement delays and manual review processes, cryptocurrencies enable peer-to-peer fast transfers, increasing efficiency for AI systems performing tasks. This capability is especially critical for scenarios like automated trading, data purchasing, and computing power calls.

As AI applications continue to expand, economic activities between machines are becoming a potential growth market. AI can not only autonomously complete transactions but also reduce costs and reliance on intermediaries through on-chain settlements. This means Bitcoin’s user base will gradually extend from individual users to intelligent systems, opening new demand spaces.

Institutional statements also carry signals. As a global asset management giant, BlackRock’s recognition of the integration of cryptocurrencies and AI helps boost market confidence and accelerates the flow of capital and technology into this area. Industry research also indicates that combining blockchain and AI offers advantages such as high efficiency, strong security, and global settlement, attracting more enterprise attention.

From a fundamental logic standpoint, Bitcoin’s features of cross-border circulation, decentralization, and transparent accounting make it an ideal medium of value exchange for AI systems. The blockchain record-keeping mechanism can also help AI achieve trustless payment verification, further optimizing operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, the integration of AI and cryptocurrencies may become a key driver of industry development. As the machine economy gradually takes shape, Bitcoin’s role is expected to shift from a “digital asset” to “machine payment infrastructure.” If this trend continues to deepen, it could bring a new growth curve to the crypto market.