Ant International, Mastercard and Visa have begun working together on a shared Know-Your-Agent framework. It covers AI agents that make purchases on behalf of users. The three companies announced the collaboration on Thursday, Singapore time. Reuters and CNBC also reported it.
According to the announcement, the framework is meant to help card networks, digital wallets, agent platforms and marketplaces. It would let them onboard and identify AI agents across networks. Each network would keep its own verification and decision-making processes.
What the framework covers
The companies listed three areas of work. The first is operator traceability across networks, which links each agent to a validated operator, cardholder or business. The second is shared certification, under which each agent is assessed against security and behavioural requirements. The third is continuous monitoring of each agent, using identity and transaction signals.
Each company already has its own protocol for agent payments. They are Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, Mastercard Verifiable Intent and Ant International’s Agentic Mobile Protocol. The companies said they will now explore ways to work towards common principles.
