HSBC, Ant Digital test AI-agent payments using tokenized deposits
Summary
HSBC and Ant Digital Technologies tested AI-agent payments using tokenized bank deposits, with transactions settled in real time on a blockchain testnet. The demonstration combined HSBC’s Tokenised Deposit Service, Ant Digital’s Anvita Flow network and the Jovay layer-2 testnet. An AI agent selected a digital service and made micropayments, generally under $2; HSBC handled settlement and risk checks. The companies said the test was technical only, with no commercial launch or live customer offering. Other banks, including Santander, Sygnum and CaixaBank, have also trialed AI-initiated payments. Research firm Citrini has argued that autonomous agents could boost demand for always-on, programmable blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
