OpenAI launches ChatGPT Wallet, letting AI agents make purchases

what happened

OpenAI said on Friday that it has launched ChatGPT Wallet, a feature that lets AI agents pay for purchases without access to users' bank card details. Before each payment, the user checks the items, total and selected card, then confirms with Face ID or a fingerprint scan, according to Reuters and Seeking Alpha.

The wallet was built with American Express, Mastercard and Visa. At launch it is limited to ChatGPT Pro subscribers aged 18 and older with US-issued cards. The payment network supplies a token in place of the real card details, so neither the merchant nor the agent can see them. OpenAI said that over time users may hand purchases to agents within set limits, such as spending caps, categories or time periods.

why it matters

For payment networks, this is a new payment channel that could grow alongside agent-driven commerce. However, some merchants have said they will block AI agents, and OpenAI describes the launch as limited so it can improve compatibility. The effect on Visa, Mastercard and American Express looks more long-term than immediate.

market impact

Visa, Mastercard, Amex: a new AI-agent payment channel, still limited at launch

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