Franklin Templeton Names Agentic AI Blockchain's 'Killer' Use Case in $3T Payments Shift

According to Franklin Templeton's digital assets note published Wednesday, the firm (managing $1.8 trillion) identified agentic AI as blockchain's breakthrough use case, arguing autonomous software agents shut out of the banking system will settle payments on public networks instead.

Because agents cannot pass know-your-customer checks, they will transact on networks such as Solana and BNB Chain that clear in seconds, versus Visa's one to three business days. McKinsey projects agentic commerce will reach $3 trillion by 2030. Sandy Kaul, Head of Digital Assets and Innovation, stated that blockchain will be "pivotal in allowing agentic AI to realize its potential for consumer transactions" and is likely to become the "killer" use case driving mainstream blockchain adoption.