Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong says AI agents will increasingly transact using crypto wallets, while Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan argues institutional adoption could push Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) toward $1.3 million over time.
‘Own A Crypto Wallet'
Armstrong said Monday autonomous AI systems may soon execute more financial transactions than humans. "They can't open a bank account, but they can own a crypto wallet," he said.
These systems, including trading bots, automated services and machine-to-machine payment networks, could handle tasks such as purchasing data, paying for computing resources or executing financial trades without direct human input.
However, Armstrong noted that AI agents cannot easily access the traditional banking system because bank accounts require human identity verification, legal ownership structures and regulatory compliance.
In contrast, crypto wallets can be created and controlled by software, allowing AI agents to hold digital assets and transact directly on blockchain networks without relying on banks or intermediaries.
Bitcoin To $1.3 Million?
He said a major structural change is underway as Wall Street firms experiment with tokenized funds, stablecoins and on-chain settlement systems.
Hougan said the crypto market may be entering a new growth phase after a typical four-year downturn.
He pointed to rising institutional adoption, the expansion of crypto exchange-traded funds and the growing shift of financial infrastructure onto blockchain networks as key catalysts.
Tokenization is a central theme of Hougan's outlook.
He estimates that tokenized assets could grow from roughly $20 billion today to as much as $200 trillion over time if large portions of global equities and bonds move onto blockchains such as Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL).
Hougan argued that the bullish case for Bitcoin primarily depends on it functioning as digital gold.
If Bitcoin captures about 25% of the global gold market within the next decade, while the gold market continues expanding, its price could reach roughly $1.3 million per coin.
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