A leading Coinbase executive has asserted that <b>cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are absolutely essential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents operating within modern financial markets.</b> John D’Agostino, Coinbase’s head of institutional strategy, dismissed traditional financial rails as being too slow and archaic for the demands of machine-to-machine, real-time transactions, comparing the situation to streaming movies over an outdated dial-up modem.
<h2>Blockchain: The Scalable Source of Truth</h2>
D’Agostino’s core argument centers on the need for <b>reliable data</b> in the age of AI. AI agents are being developed to autonomously manage <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/bydfi-joins-seoul-meta-week-2025-advancing-web3-vision-and-south-korea-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web3</a> applications, build tokens, and execute trades at speeds beyond human comprehension, making thousands of decisions in seconds. He warned that if these agents rely on incomplete or outdated information, the resulting errors could propagate across the system, causing unprecedented risk in financial markets.

He proposed blockchain as the solution, calling it an “infinitely scalable source of truth” due to its function as a permanent, public, and unalterable record. By combining <b>AI</b> as “infinitely scalable intelligence” with <b>blockchain</b>, the executive stated that the partnership will make financial markets "faster, more transparent, and more efficient than ever before." This union ensures that the incredible speed and power of AI are anchored to data that is entirely reliable and free from manipulation.
<h2>Institutional Adoption Remains Cautious</h2>
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_ev8uZ_RfA[/embed]

While the future intersection of AI and crypto is high-speed, D’Agostino noted that major institutions, such as pension funds and university endowments, will adopt crypto in a slow and cautious manner. He explained that these institutions, which manage vast amounts of other people’s money, cannot afford to take extreme risks. Their adoption process will involve initial small investments, careful observation of market behavior, and gradual increases in exposure over time. This measured approach, D’Agostino concluded, ensures that the growth of crypto markets remains stable.

Coinbase Executive Highlights Crypto as the "Source of Truth" Essential for AI Finance

Coinbase's head of institutional strategy says AI agents need blockchain for a reliable "source of truth" in finance.

Coinbase Executive Highlights Crypto as the "Source of Truth" Essential for AI Finance

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