BlackRock, managing $15 trillion in assets, released a report titled The Machine-Native Economy. The document suggests that artificial intelligence agents will become a primary driver of demand for digital assets, shifting focus from human investors to software-based transactions.
The firm notes that traditional payment networks, such as card systems and automated clearing houses, rely on human onboarding and involve fees that make micro-payments inefficient. In contrast, blockchain infrastructure supports high-frequency, sub-cent transactions that operate continuously.
According to research from the Bitcoin Policy Institute cited in the report, AI models in simulations favored stablecoins for daily transactional needs. Bitcoin was identified as a preferred asset for long-term value preservation within an AI-native monetary architecture.
BlackRock continues to expand its crypto presence, notably through its iShares Bitcoin Trust. Approved by the SEC in 2024, the fund has become the largest U.S. bitcoin ETF, currently managing over $67 billion in assets following a record-breaking launch.
