Tech Giant Google Dives into AI Payment Sector, Backing Stablecoin Integration
In the ever-evolving world of technology, a new player has emerged in the financial landscape - stablecoins. These digital currencies, designed to maintain steady values, have been gaining traction, particularly in the realm of AI-powered shopping and transactions.
Currently, stablecoins are moving more money than Visa and Mastercard combined, reaching an impressive $27.6 trillion in transaction volume during 2024. Payment companies like Fireblocks are handling 16% of all stablecoin transactions, with a remarkable 30% quarterly growth.
One of the key advantages of stablecoins is their ability to process payments 24/7 without the delays that traditional banking systems often face. This feature is crucial for AI agents that might need to make purchases at any hour. For instance, Google envisions AI agents handling complex shopping tasks, such as booking flights and hotels.
Google's system uses digital contracts called 'mandates' that work like tamper-proof receipts to prove a user gave their AI agent specific authority to make a purchase. The tech giant has also partnered with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to add stablecoin support.
Mastercard has joined the fray with the launch of its AI payment system, Agent Pay, in April 2025. The system supports traditional payment methods and digital currencies like stablecoins.
The U.S. has taken notice of this growing trend, with the passing of the GENIUS Act in 2024, providing clearer rules for stablecoin issuers, encouraging more companies to explore stablecoin integration. This move could potentially lead to a surge in the stablecoin market, with Citigroup projecting it could reach $3.7 trillion by 2030, surpassing the entire current cryptocurrency market.
However, Google faces strong competition in the emerging market for AI-powered shopping. Companies like Stripe are announcing their own blockchain projects for stablecoin payments. The Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), developed with the involvement of over 60 companies, including Mastercard, American Express, and Coinbase, aims to streamline these transactions.
A Salesforce study from March 2025 revealed that 66% of shoppers want AI agents to grab high-demand items before they sell out, while another 65% want AI agents that automatically buy products when prices drop to target levels. The instant settlements possible with stablecoins could make these desires a reality.
Reducing cross-border payment fees by 30-60% compared to traditional banks is another significant advantage of stablecoins. As more companies embrace this technology, the future of AI-powered shopping and transactions looks promising, with stablecoins playing a pivotal role.
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