AI Agents Will Be Primary Users of Blockchain, NEAR Co-Founder Says

Why It Matters

If AI agents handle blockchain interactions, crypto moves from niche tooling to the invisible settlement layer of everyday digital services, accelerating mainstream adoption and reshaping financial infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• AI agents to handle blockchain transactions directly
• Wallets and hashes become hidden behind AI interfaces
• NEAR envisions AI as internet operating system
• DAO governance needs problem‑focused AI assistance
• Memecoin hype deters AI researchers from crypto

Pulse Analysis

The convergence of artificial intelligence and distributed ledger technology is moving beyond hype‑driven token launches toward a structural integration that could redefine how users interact with the internet. Polosukhin’s vision positions AI agents as the primary front‑end, translating natural language commands into smart‑contract calls without exposing users to cryptographic details. This abstraction mirrors how browsers concealed HTML code in the early web, promising a frictionless experience where blockchain’s security and immutability operate silently behind conversational interfaces.

From an infrastructure standpoint, the shift creates a demand for neutral, programmable financial rails that can support autonomous AI workflows. Decentralized autonomous organizations, for example, could employ AI‑driven voting agents that act only when tied to clear economic incentives, addressing the chronic problem of unbounded DAOs. By providing verifiable settlement, privacy‑preserving transactions, and incentive‑aligned protocols, blockchain becomes the trusted backbone for AI‑orchestrated services such as automated bill payment, talent procurement, and capital allocation.

Market implications are significant. As AI assistants become the operating system of digital life, the need for seamless, secure settlement layers will drive enterprise and consumer adoption of blockchain‑based solutions. However, the industry must shed the memecoin‑centric reputation that has alienated serious AI talent. Aligning development priorities with real‑world coordination challenges and fostering cross‑disciplinary standards will be essential for unlocking the next growth wave, positioning crypto not as a standalone app but as the invisible infrastructure powering AI‑driven economies.