HSBC, Ant Digital test AI-agent payments using tokenized deposits

What happened

British banking giant HSBC and Ant Digital Technologies have tested a system that lets AI agents (AI that carries out multi-step tasks rather than answering one question) access digital services and make micropayments using tokenized (representing an asset as a tradable entry on a blockchain) bank deposits, with transactions settled in real time on a blockchain testnet. The technical trial showed how AI agents could discover services and make micropayments using HSBC’s tokenized deposits, with real-time settlement and risk checks.

According to Friday’s announcement, the test combined HSBC’s Tokenised Deposit Service with Ant Digital’s Anvita Flow network, which enables AI agents to find and use services, and Jovay Testnet, a layer-2 blockchain testing environment. HSBC provided settlement capabilities and real-time risk checks, while Ant Digital’s network coordinated service access and payments.

The demonstration showed an AI agent selecting a digital service and completing a payment. The companies described the transactions as micropayments, typically defined as less than $2. The companies said the test was limited to technical verification and did not represent a commercial launch or live customer offering.

Key facts

• British banking giant HSBC and Ant Digital Technologies have — tested: a system that lets AI agents access digital services and make micropayments using tokenized bank deposits, with transactions settled in real time on a blockchain testnet