Artificial intelligence, blockchain infrastructure and stablecoins are converging to form the backbone of a new global economic system, according to Circle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Allaire. Speaking during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call, Allaire outlined a future in which autonomous AI agents transact continuously using programmable digital dollars.
Circle reported a 77 percent year over year increase in fourth quarter revenue and income reserves, reaching 770 million dollars. The results exceeded market expectations and reflected growing institutional demand for regulated stablecoin infrastructure. USDC, the dollar backed stablecoin issued by Circle, reached a circulation of 75.3 billion dollars by the end of 2025, marking a 75 percent annual increase.
On chain transaction activity also expanded significantly. USDC volume totaled 11.9 trillion dollars for the year, with strong growth in the fourth quarter. The data underscores the increasing role of regulated stablecoins in cross border payments, decentralized finance and exchange settlement.
Allaire’s broader thesis centers on what he describes as agentic compute. In this model, billions of AI driven systems would perform economic functions autonomously across the internet. These agents would require a programmable, interoperable medium of exchange capable of supporting high velocity and low value transactions.
Traditional banking systems, built around human verification and limited operating hours, may struggle to support machine driven commerce at scale. Blockchain networks and stablecoins offer 24 hour settlement, global accessibility and automated execution through smart contracts. This combination, Allaire argues, positions digital dollar infrastructure as a core financial rail for AI powered economic activity.
The vision extends beyond payments. Blockchain ledgers can provide transparency, auditability and programmable compliance, features that may become increasingly important as AI agents engage in contracting, data exchange and service delivery. In this framework, stablecoins function as the transactional layer while blockchain networks provide settlement and verification.
Market trends suggest renewed investor interest at the intersection of AI and crypto. The crypto AI sector has rebounded in recent sessions, with total market capitalization rising above 14 billion dollars. Several AI related tokens have recorded double digit gains, reflecting speculative positioning around the convergence narrative.
Despite the optimism, macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on digital asset markets. Broader risk sentiment remains fragile, and volatility in equity markets often spills into crypto valuations. Even so, structural growth themes tied to infrastructure development tend to unfold over longer time horizons.
Circle’s performance highlights the increasing institutionalization of stablecoins within global finance. As regulated issuers expand reserves and transaction volumes scale, the integration of AI systems with blockchain based payment rails could reshape how value moves across borders.
The convergence of AI, blockchain and stablecoins is no longer confined to theoretical discussions. With rising transaction volumes, expanding circulation and growing enterprise engagement, these technologies are increasingly positioned at the center of discussions about the next evolution of the global digital economy.
