When Bots Have Bank Accounts: The Rise of the Agent Economy (With Sean Neville, Catena Labs)

Sean Neville, co-founder of Circle and architect of USDC, discusses his new venture: building an AI bank. He envisions a future where AI agents become dominant economic participants, necessitating a financial infrastructure tailored for them. This includes mechanisms for agents to get paid, make payments, manage FX, generate returns, and even apply for credit. A key challenge lies in establishing trust and safety, differentiating between "good" and "bad" bots through verified agent identities and policies. Neville draws parallels to the early internet, emphasizing the need for common standards for agent communication and payment flows to foster collaboration and prevent fragmentation. He also reflects on lessons from Circle, particularly the importance of considering regulatory aspects alongside engineering, product, and sales.