Electric Capital: crypto wallets for AI agents are creating a new legal frontier

CoinDesk

by Margaux Nijkerk

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

AI agents equipped with crypto wallets are ushering in a new era of autonomous financial transactions, raising significant legal questions. As these software-driven entities gain the ability to hold assets, trade tokens, pay for services, and even hire other agents, developers are grappling with how to address liability and accountability in this evolving landscape. While blockchain technology enables programmable money, instant settlement, and global accessibility, the legal framework to govern AI-driven financial activities remains lagging behind. At a recent panel discussion during NEARCON 2026, Avichal Garg of Electric Capital compared the emergence of autonomous AI agents to the 19th-century creation of limited liability corporations. He highlighted how crypto has drastically reduced the cost of economic participation, enabling anyone with minimal capital to create value. However, he also pointed out a critical gap: the inability to hold AI accountable for its actions. Unlike humans, AI lacks consciousness or fear, making traditional enforcement mechanisms ineffective. The legal implications are profound. If AI agents begin operating independently in the financial system—trading, lending, scaling businesses—the question of liability becomes unavoidable. For instance, who is responsible if an AI-controlled wallet engages in illegal activities or causes financial harm? This uncertainty poses a significant challenge for regulators and lawmakers, who must determine how to enforce rules when the "actor" in question is software. The integration of blockchain with AI represents a fundamental shift in how value is created and managed. By enabling autonomous agents to execute transactions programmatically, crypto has opened doors to new forms of economic activity. Yet, this also introduces risks that current legal systems are unprepared to handle. As Garg noted, turning off an AI or restricting its operations may not be sufficient to address potential harms. This development matters deeply for the crypto community, as it could shape the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and autonomous economic systems. While some view this as a frontier for innovation and growth, others see it as a

Verticals

cryptofinance

Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/24/2026