HSBC and Ant Digital trial AI-agent payments using tokenized bank deposits
HSBC and Ant Digital trial AI-agent micropayments
HSBC and Ant Digital Technologies have completed a technical trial showing that AI agents can discover digital services and make small payments using tokenized bank deposits. Transactions were settled in real time on a blockchain testnet, with HSBC providing settlement and risk-checking capabilities while Ant Digital's network coordinated service access.
What the trial used
The test combined HSBC's Tokenised Deposit Service with Ant Digital's Anvita Flow network and Jovay Testnet, a layer-2 blockchain testing environment. Layer-2 networks are secondary frameworks built on top of existing blockchains to handle more transactions faster. The companies described the demonstrated payments as micropayments, which are typically defined as transactions under $2.
A technical test, not a product launch
Both companies said the trial was limited to technical verification. It did not represent a commercial launch or live customer offering, and no timeline for a public release was announced.
Banks are testing AI-driven payments
HSBC is not alone in exploring how AI agents could initiate financial transactions on behalf of customers. In March, Santander completed an AI-agent-initiated payment using Mastercard's Agent Pay infrastructure in a controlled test involving live payment systems. In May, Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum tested AI-agent-driven transactions on a blockchain mainnet, requiring customers to approve and sign each transaction. Spanish bank CaixaBank also completed an AI-agent-initiated card transaction using Visa's system.
Questions remain about legacy systems
Not all industry voices are convinced traditional banks can adapt their infrastructure for this shift. Ferdinand Dabitz, CEO of Augustus Bank, told Cointelegraph in May that established clearing banks rely on decades-old systems built for human operations rather than automated, round-the-clock transactions. Augustus is developing a US bank designed around stablecoins and AI-driven operations, operating on the view that purpose-built infrastructure can replace parts of traditional banking.
Blockchain's role in AI commerce
In a report titled Breaking The Wall, published October 8 by Citrini Research, the firm argued that autonomous AI agents could increase demand for programmable financial infrastructure. The report said traditional financial systems, designed primarily for human users, may need to adapt as AI agents increasingly handle transactions across applications. It argued that blockchain networks could provide the always-on infrastructure needed to move money and financial assets programmatically.
"AI agents move programmatically, 24/7, across applications, and it's only logical that money and financial assets eventually will, too," Citrini wrote.
Why this matters for banking and crypto
The trial highlights a growing convergence between traditional banking and blockchain technology. If banks can issue tokenized deposits — digital representations of bank money on a blockchain — and pair them with AI agents that can autonomously pay for services, it could open new use cases for microtransactions, automated subscriptions, and machine-to-machine commerce. Whether this stays in the testing phase or moves toward real customer use remains to be seen.
What is confirmed
- HSBC and Ant Digital completed a technical trial of AI-agent micropayments using tokenized deposits.
- The trial used HSBC's Tokenised Deposit Service, Ant Digital's Anvita Flow network, and Jovay Testnet.
- The companies describe the event as a technical verification, not a commercial launch.
- Other banks, including Santander, Sygnum, and CaixaBank, have also conducted AI-agent payment tests.
- Citrini Research published a report arguing blockchain could serve AI-driven commerce.
What is still unclear
- No commercial launch date or customer availability has been announced.
- It is unconfirmed whether HSBC will expand the trial beyond the technical test.
- The debate continues over whether legacy banks can adapt their systems or whether new infrastructure is required.
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.