During a talk with CNBC, Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo, said AI will almost certainly rely on cryptocurrency and digital assets. He pointed out that AI “can’t touch cash”, meaning digital money is the only realistic way for automated systems to pay for things, trade, or handle finances without humans in the loop.
He also talked about how stablecoins emerged as a great way to do payments. Earlier this month, Belshe stated that stablecoins are a safer alternative to banks.
The CEO noted how BitGo is building an infrastructure to make it easier for robots to use wallets, doubling down on the fact that AI will use digital currency.
These comments come as BitGo takes on a bigger role in blockchain infrastructure, including a seat on Hedera’s governing council. Hedera’s enterprise-focused network is increasingly being used in projects that blend blockchain with AI verification and digital identity tools.
One example is EQTY Lab, which built an AI verification system directly on Hedera’s network. It uses cryptography to check AI outputs, keep audit trails, and allow AI agents and institutions to share data securely. Hedera says that such a setup gives AI a trust layer, making sure its actions and transactions can be both tracked and verified, in addition to being protected.
This fits right into BitGo’s main business, as the company offers secure storage and compliance tools for digital assets. These things are exactly what would be needed if AI agents start handling crypto wallets, making payments, or working with tokenized assets.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Belshe’s take fits into a broader industry movement in which crypto is seen as the financial backbone of AI agents. Unlike regular banks, blockchain lets machines handle payments automatically. It can also allow them to run transactions through smart contracts and pay each other directly, with no human or central approvals needed.
Hedera, in particular, has built itself as a blockchain for big companies. It is run by a council of major corporations and offers stable transaction fees, positioning itself as a central piece for AI and finance to work together at scale.
Related: BitGo IPO Opens 2026 With $2B Valuation and Custody Focus
