Fidelity Warns AI Crypto Boom May Not Boost Token Value

Artificial intelligence is becoming one of crypto’s biggest investment narratives as autonomous AI agents increasingly use blockchain infrastructure to make payments, purchase data and access computing resources. But Fidelity Digital Assets warns that rising AI-driven crypto activity may not necessarily translate into higher value for cryptocurrency investors.

AI agents settled more than $73 million through roughly 176 million blockchain transactions in the year through April, according to Keyrock. Major companies including Coinbase, Stripe and Visa are also developing infrastructure for machine-to-machine and AI agent payments.

Fidelity analyst Max Wadington said AI could lower barriers to blockchain development and participation, making applications cheaper and faster to build. However, as technology becomes easier to replicate, competitive advantages may shift toward liquidity, distribution, security, regulatory integration and trust.

Public blockchains also face competition. Banks, fintech companies and technology firms could provide AI agents with payment systems offering lower costs, stronger performance, regulatory clarity and established distribution networks. As a result, growth in the AI economy does not automatically guarantee comparable growth in blockchain usage.