Franklin Templeton, which manages over $1.5 trillion in assets, said agentic AI could accelerate blockchain adoption by creating demand for autonomous machine-to-machine payments, blockchain-based transactions, automated settlement, and decentralized identity systems.

In a report by Sandy Kaul, Head of Digital Assets and Innovation, the firm outlined how autonomous AI systems may depend on blockchain infrastructure as they take on more transactional activity. The report, published after the rapid expansion of AI and citing data through July 14, 2026, said agentic AI could increase cryptocurrency and blockchain use by requiring systems for machine-to-machine payments, identity verification, and transaction settlement. The analysis adds to a growing body of institutional research examining how AI and blockchain infrastructure may converge, a theme explored by firms including BlackRock, which has expanded its tokenized fund offerings, and Goldman Sachs, which has flagged digital asset infrastructure as a strategic area.

Agentic AI Moves Toward Autonomous Transactions

According to Franklin Templeton, artificial intelligence has developed from machine learning into generative AI, with agentic AI emerging as the next phase. Unlike conversational AI systems, agentic AI can plan, execute, and complete tasks without constant human supervision.

The report cited forecasts indicating that 38% of organizations expect AI agents to work alongside employees by 2028. It also estimated that agentic commerce could reach between $3 trillion and $5 trillion by 2030.

As AI systems take on more transactional functions, payment infrastructure has begun to adjust. Franklin Templeton said Stripe and Visa introduced the Machine Payments Protocol, while Coinbase transferred its x402 payment protocol to the Linux Foundation as an open standard. These initiatives echo earlier moves in programmable payments, where stablecoins such as USDC and USDT already demonstrated that blockchain-based rails can handle high-volume, low-cost transfers across borders.

The report said companies including Shopify, Google, Amazon Web Services, and payment providers have adopted the standard to support software-driven payments.

Blockchain Networks Support Machine Payments

Kaul said blockchain networks offer capabilities needed for autonomous AI transactions, including smart contract execution, decentralized identity verification, transparent record keeping, and distributed computing resources.

The report also compared blockchain settlement with traditional payment systems. It said newer networks such as Aptos, Solana, and BNB Chain can process thousands of transactions per second, while blockchain networks also settle transactions as part of processing.

Franklin Templeton said legacy payment systems are less suitable for low-value AI micropayments because transaction fees can make small automated payments inefficient. Card networks typically charge per-transaction fees that can exceed the value of sub-cent machine payments, a constraint that has limited experimentation with granular usage-based billing on traditional rails.

Report Details Crypto's Role

The report said AI agents would need native cryptocurrencies to record transactions on blockchain networks. As a result, increased machine-to-machine activity could raise demand for network tokens used to process payments.

Franklin Templeton also said higher transaction activity could expand blockchain treasuries, helping fund developer grants, security programs, and broader ecosystem growth.

The report added that blockchain applications could see wider adoption if AI agents manage payments automatically. In that scenario, users could access Web3 services without directly handling cryptocurrencies or digital wallets, potentially lowering a barrier that has slowed mainstream adoption of decentralized applications.