MetaMask just gave AI agents a DeFi wallet with a leash
MetaMask has opened early access to Agent Wallet, a self-custodial wallet for AI agents that lets users define spending and behavior rules before agents transact onchain. It targets traders, automators, and builders using DeFi workflows such as swaps, perpetuals, prediction markets, liquidity provision, EVM chains, and Hyperliquid. The core idea is controlled autonomy: users keep the keys while agents operate within pre-set limits like spend caps, allowlists, operating modes, simulation, threat scanning, MEV protection, and 2FA for flagged or out-of-policy actions. Guard Mode is the default; Beast Mode reduces interruptions but still requires approval for malicious or risky transactions. The launch highlights a major question in agentic finance: whether programmable limits make DeFi safer or create new attack surfaces. Risks include prompt injection, broad allowlists, approval fatigue, and users setting limits too loosely. The product is in early access, so real-world policy choices will determine whether it becomes a safer model for autonomous DeFi or a way to automate wallet risk.
