Visa and Mastercard Gear Up for AI Shopping Era by 2026

• Visa and Mastercard are piloting innovative payment systems for AI-driven autonomous shopping.
• Commercial launch expected in the first quarter of 2026.

On Dec. 29, 2025, Cryptopolitan reported Visa and Mastercard are piloting AI-powered payment systems to enable autonomous agents to shop, compare prices, and buy seamlessly within chat platforms like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. This transformative concept, known as “agentic commerce,” promises to revolutionize online transactions with a commercial rollout anticipated by early 2026.

AI agents in agentic commerce will perform tasks like finding the lowest prices, booking travel according to user-defined preferences, or automating purchases based on specific triggers like price thresholds. This shift aims to move commerce from traditional digital interactions to intelligent and autonomous decision-making systems. Visa and Mastercard’s advanced payment infrastructure will ensure these digital agents interact securely within merchant platforms.

Pilot programs are underway with select merchants and user groups to test bot-led transactions. T.R. Ramachandran, Visa’s Head of Products and Solutions for Asia Pacific, highlighted that the technology’s broader deployment is slated for early 2026. Key innovations include "agentic tokens," cryptographic tools that authenticate AI bot-led transactions. Visa has also partnered with Cloudflare to launch a Trusted Agent Protocol, ensuring verified bots can securely transact on behalf of users.

Consumer enthusiasm for AI-driven shopping tools is gaining momentum. A December survey by Visa revealed that nearly half of U.S. shoppers are already using AI for researching gifts and comparing prices, underscoring growing readiness for autonomous transactions. With mainstream adoption expected, these systems could transform how people shop online.

Merchants are adapting to this technological shift. Amazon, for instance, is testing its own AI-enabled buying tools like the “Buy For Me” feature, while limiting external AI agent access to its platform. This reflects merchants’ need to maintain control over customer engagement and pricing strategies in the face of advancing automation.

However, the rise of agentic commerce introduces new challenges, particularly around liability. Payment companies are addressing concerns over potential errors, such as unintended purchases by AI agents, and developing mechanisms to safeguard users. Questions about accountability will require merchants, payment providers, and AI platforms to create clear dispute resolution processes and define responsibilities.

To embrace agentic commerce, businesses will need systems for verifying AI consumer agents, develop their own bots for seamless integration, and rethink loyalty programs and promotional strategies. According to Mastercard’s Sandeep Malhotra, these advancements will enhance efficiency and offer consumers better access to goods and services.

As Visa and Mastercard inch closer to launching this innovative commerce model, they signal a defining moment in the evolution of consumer transactions. By harnessing AI’s capabilities, they aim to bridge the gap between convenience and technological advancement, setting the stage for a new era of shopping.