Stripe updates Link wallet so AI agents can request payments

In short: Stripe says its Link digital wallet can now be used with AI agents, letting them request purchases while the user stays in control of approvals.

What happened

Stripe introduced Link as a digital wallet built to work in a world where AI agents can do tasks for people, including shopping and booking things online. A digital wallet is an app that stores payment options and checkout details, so you do not have to type them in every time.

With Link, users can connect payment methods like cards and banks, track spending, and see recurring subscriptions. Link is available on the web, iOS, and Android.

Stripe says Link can also connect to autonomous AI agents, meaning software that can carry out a task on its own once you ask it to, like a personal assistant that clicks through checkout screens for you. The goal is to avoid giving an AI agent your raw card number or bank details.

Instead, the agent goes through an approval flow. In simple terms, it is like the agent writing up a purchase request and handing it to you to sign. The user gets a notification, reviews what the agent wants to buy, and then approves or denies the payment.

Stripe said support for additional payment types, including stablecoins (a type of cryptocurrency designed to keep a steady price), is planned for later.

Why it matters

More people are testing AI agents, but many are uncomfortable sharing payment details with software that can act on its own. Link is Stripe’s attempt to make agent payments feel more like controlled spending, with clear requests and user approval before money moves.

Source: TechCrunch AI