Ant International, Mastercard, and Visa launch AI agent framework

Ant International, Mastercard, and Visa have announced a collaboration to develop a Know-Your-Agent (KYA) interoperability framework. This initiative aims to standardize how AI agents are identified, verified, and onboarded across various payment networks, digital wallets, and marketplaces.

As AI agents transition from providing recommendations to executing purchases, the industry anticipates they could orchestrate between US$3 trillion and US$5 trillion in global consumer commerce by 2030. The KYA framework seeks to align existing protocols—such as Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, Mastercard Verifiable Intent, and Ant International’s Agentic Mobile Protocol—under common principles rather than replacing them.

The framework is built on three pillars: cross-network operator traceability to link agents to validated entities, shared certification requirements for security and behavioral standards, and continuous transaction monitoring. The goal is to reduce integration complexity and costs for service providers while maintaining robust risk controls.