# Silicon Valley startups to issue corporate cards to AI agents Mercury launches virtual card service for autonomous AI purchasing. - **Source:** [Fast Company](https://www.fastcompany.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-11 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8e54779b-a2f9-4e9e-8181-4e341346e171 ## Financial authority for AI agents Digital banking company Mercury is preparing to offer virtual card services for AI agents to make autonomous purchases. This development will fundamentally change the traditional structure of startup teams. Now, AI agents will be as common as software developers in founding teams. The fintech industry is rapidly adapting to this new demand. ## Transformation in startup world Traditionally, early-stage startup teams consisted of a few founders and developers. Recently, AI agents are increasingly taking operational roles. Mercury's move will enable autonomous financial decision-making by AI. This could radically change how tech startups operate, particularly in procurement and vendor management processes. ## Technical infrastructure of virtual cards Mercury's virtual cards will allow AI agents to spend within predefined budgets and permissions. The system will be continuously optimized with machine learning algorithms. Multi-layer verification mechanisms will ensure security. The technology will be particularly useful for software development and cloud service purchases. ## Industry developments Mercury's initiative is part of the growing AI integration trend in fintech. Last year, financial service providers like Brex and Ramp announced similar features. AI adoption in B2B payment systems features prominently in the industry's five-year roadmap. Experts predict widespread corporate adoption by 2025. ## Security concerns Experts warn about potential risks of delegating financial authority to AI agents. Unauthorized access, fraud attempts, and algorithmic errors are among the threats. Mercury has developed behavioral analysis and anomaly detection systems to mitigate risks. The beta version will launch next quarter with limited functionality. ## Enterprise potential Virtual card technology likely won't be limited to startups. Large corporations plan to use AI agents for departmental budget management. Retail and tech giants are testing the system for supply chain payments. Analysts predict 30% of Fortune 500 companies will adopt similar solutions by 2025. ## Regulatory compliance Financial regulators are working on new guidelines for AI-powered payment systems. The FDIC in the US and EBA in Europe are preparing frameworks. Mercury's legal team notes the product will initially launch in select states with spending limits. Full regulatory compliance might take until late 2024. ## Future of finance AI integration into financial decision-making represents a groundbreaking transformation in banking. Mercury's move could pave the way for more autonomous financial services. For startups, this system promises operational efficiency and may even redefine the traditional CFO role in the digital age. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.fastcompany.com/91574324/mercury-launches-virtual-credit-cards-ai-agents — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._