Visa has outlined further steps in developing its AI-driven commerce infrastructure in Asia-Pacific, setting the stage for pilot programmes expected to begin in early 2026.
The company is expanding the reach of its Visa Intelligent Commerce framework, positioning it as part of a wider shift toward ‘agentic commerce’, in which automated systems conduct purchases on behalf of individuals.
At the core of Visa’s plan is its Intelligent Commerce suite, a set of APIs and partner tools built to support transactions carried out by AI agents. The system relies on components already used within traditional digital payments, such as tokenisation, authentication layers and transaction data signals, to give automated agents the ability to complete purchases while still showing clear evidence of consumer consent.
Emerging standards for AI-based transactions
Visa notes that online retail has already seen a marked increase in automated interactions, with AI-driven website traffic reportedly rising dramatically over the past year. The company argues that as consumer use of AI tools grows, existing payment standards need to be adapted so that automated systems can interact with merchants and networks in a predictable and verifiable way.
Under the expanded framework, AI agents integrated into search tools, mobile apps, or other platforms would be able to access Visa credentials for purchases at merchants worldwide. The stated intention is to allow routine transactions, such as travel bookings or entertainment purchases, to be carried out by an agent following user instructions, with the payment network enforcing security and transparency requirements.
An important element of the wider rollout is what Visa calls the Trusted Agent Protocol. This set of guidelines is designed to help merchants distinguish between legitimate AI-generated purchase requests and malicious automated traffic. It uses cryptographic markers assigned to approved agents, allowing merchants to confirm both the authenticity of the agent and the presence of a real consumer behind it.
According to representatives from Visa, the move towards automated purchasing requires common standards across the ecosystem. They stated that the combined system aims to ensure transactions made by AI agents are handled with the same clarity and validation expected in human-initiated purchases.
The company is working with firms across technology, payments and artificial intelligence, including important providers in search, telecoms and cross-border payments, to prepare the infrastructure required for wider deployment. Visa expects pilot programmes for Intelligent Commerce to begin in several Asia-Pacific markets once regulatory environments and partner readiness align, with an initial target set for early 2026.
