Visa Launches Trusted Agent Protocol to Enhance Secure Transactions for Virtual Agents

New York, NY – October 15, 2025 – Visa has unveiled the “Trusted Agent Protocol,” a groundbreaking system designed to facilitate secure and reliable transactions between Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents and merchants. The initiative aims to distinguish legitimate AI agents from malicious bots, fostering a safer payment landscape as AI-driven commerce expands.

Addressing the Rise of AI-Powered Shopping

The new protocol arrives amid a surge in AI-driven purchasing activity. Recent data indicates a more than 4,700% increase in AI traffic to U.S. retail websites,with 85% of consumers reporting improved shopping experiences when utilizing AI tools. however, this growth introduces new challenges for businesses, including identifying and validating AI agents, ensuring secure settlements, and maintaining visibility into user data.

Jack Forestellis, Head of Products and Strategy at Visa, emphasized the importance of extending the same level of trust to AI agents as to valued customers. “We believe that the payment ecosystem has a duty to ensure that sellers trust AI agents,” he stated.”For recent years, we have been working closely with sellers, card publishers and partners to ensure that agents’ transactions are as safe and smooth as regular payments.”

How the Trusted Agent Protocol Works

Developed in collaboration with Cloudflare, the Trusted Agent Protocol enables secure details exchange by leveraging cryptographic signatures. This allows merchants to verify the authenticity of an agent before processing a transaction, ensuring it is authorized to act on behalf of a consumer. It also facilitates the sharing of relevant consumer information, such as account status and prior purchase history, to streamline the payment process.

stephanie Cohen, Head of Strategy at Cloudflare, highlighted the collaborative effort. “the safety of the future of trade is a common commitment, especially when AI agents start operating on behalf of consumers,” Cohen said. “Our work with Visa is an notable step in developing the necessary protective measures for this new ecosystem.”

Key Benefits for Merchants

The Trusted Agent Protocol offers several advantages for businesses operating in the increasingly AI-driven commerce world:

• Reduced Fraud: Effectively differentiates between legitimate agents and malicious bots.
• Streamlined Settlements: Ensures smooth transaction processing for both registered and guest users.
• Enhanced Visibility: Provides access to crucial user data and payment information.
• Simplified Integration: Utilizes existing web infrastructure, minimizing the need for extensive system updates.

Feature	Benefit
Cryptographic Signatures	Verifies Agent authenticity
Data Sharing	Streamlines Payment Process
Existing Infrastructure	Easy Integration

did You Know? The number of AI agents actively participating in online retail is predicted to triple by the end of 2026, according to a recent report by Juniper Research.

industry-wide Collaboration

Visa is actively collaborating with a broad range of industry partners to promote the adoption of the Trusted Agent Protocol, including Adyen, Checkout.com, cybersource, Elavon, Fiserv, Microsoft, Naveu, shopify, Stripe, and Worldpay. The protocol is available on the Developer Center and Github platforms, encouraging open access and further development.

Although initially focused on the visa network, the company is working with organizations like ITF, openid Foundation, and EMVCO to ensure compatibility with other emerging standards, such as ACP and 402.

Pro Tip: Businesses should proactively explore integrating the Trusted Agent Protocol to prepare for the increasing prevalence of AI-driven commerce and safeguard against potential fraud.

the Future of AI and Payment Security

The development of the Trusted Agent Protocol represents a significant step toward building a secure and trustworthy ecosystem for AI-driven commerce. As AI continues to transform the way consumers shop and businesses operate, robust security measures will be crucial to fostering trust and driving adoption. This protocol isn’t just about protecting payments today; it’s about laying the foundation for a future where AI agents seamlessly and securely integrate into all aspects of the retail experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Trusted Agent Protocol?
  It’s a new Visa protocol designed to ensure secure transactions between AI agents and merchants.
• How does the protocol prevent fraud?
  By verifying the authenticity of AI agents using cryptographic signatures.
• Which companies are collaborating on this protocol?
  Visa is working with Cloudflare, Adyen, Shopify, Stripe, and many more.
• Is this protocol limited to the Visa network?
  No, Visa is working to ensure compatibility with other industry standards.
• What are the benefits for merchants?
  Reduced fraud, streamlined settlements, and enhanced visibility into user data.
• how will this impact the average consumer?
  Consumers can expect a safer and more seamless shopping experience when AI agents act on their behalf.
• Where can developers learn more about the protocol?
  The protocol is available on the Visa Developer Center and Github platforms.

What role do you see AI playing in the future of online shopping? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What are the key benefits of TAP compared to customary user authentication methods?

Understanding the Rise of Virtual agents & Payment Security

The proliferation of virtual agents – chatbots, AI assistants, and conversational commerce platforms – is reshaping how consumers interact with businesses. As these AI-powered assistants handle increasingly complex tasks, including financial transactions, ensuring robust payment security becomes paramount. Visa recognizes this shift and has responded with the launch of its Trusted Agent Protocol (TAP),a meaningful step towards securing the future of commerce through virtual channels. This protocol addresses the growing need for secure digital payments facilitated by these emerging technologies.

What is Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol (TAP)?

TAP isn’t a new payment method; rather, it’s a framework designed to enhance the security of existing Visa payment flows when initiated through a virtual agent. It establishes a standardized way to verify the legitimacy of the agent itself, ensuring that transactions aren’t being intercepted or manipulated by malicious actors.

Here’s a breakdown of key components:

* Agent Authentication: TAP focuses on authenticating the virtual agent before a transaction is authorized. This goes beyond traditional user authentication (like passwords or biometrics) to verify the agent’s identity and trustworthiness.

* Secure Channel Establishment: The protocol establishes a secure, encrypted communication channel between the virtual agent, the issuer, and Visa’s network. This protects sensitive payment data during transmission.

* dynamic Risk Assessment: TAP allows for dynamic risk assessment based on the agent’s behavior and transaction context. This enables issuers to make more informed authorization decisions.

* Compliance & Standards: The protocol is built on existing industry standards like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), ensuring a baseline level of security.

How TAP Works: A Simplified Flow

1. Initiation: A customer initiates a transaction through a virtual agent (e.g., requesting a payment via a chatbot).
2. Agent Verification: the virtual agent presents its credentials to the issuer through the TAP framework.
3. Issuer Validation: The issuer verifies the agent’s identity and trustworthiness against a pre-defined list of trusted agents.
4. secure Channel: If verified, a secure communication channel is established.
5. Transaction Authorization: The transaction is processed through the secure channel, with dynamic risk assessment applied.
6. Completion: The transaction is completed, and the customer receives confirmation.

Benefits of Implementing TAP for businesses

Adopting TAP offers several advantages for businesses leveraging virtual agents for commerce:

* Reduced Fraud: Enhanced authentication and secure channels considerably reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions.

* Increased Customer Trust: Demonstrating a commitment to security builds customer confidence in using virtual agents for payments.

* Lower Chargeback Rates: Fewer fraudulent transactions translate to lower chargeback rates, saving businesses money and protecting their reputation.

* Expanded Payment Capabilities: TAP enables virtual agents to handle a wider range of transactions,including higher-value purchases.

* Future-Proofing: As virtual agent technology evolves, TAP provides a scalable and adaptable security framework.

* Improved conversion Rates: A seamless and secure payment experience can lead to higher conversion rates.

TAP and the Future of Conversational Commerce

Conversational commerce is predicted to experience substantial growth in the coming years. TAP is a crucial enabler of this growth,providing the security infrastructure needed to support widespread adoption. The protocol addresses key concerns surrounding chatbot security and AI payment fraud, paving the way for more elegant and secure virtual shopping experiences.

Consider these emerging trends:

* Voice Commerce: As voice assistants become more prevalent,TAP will be essential for securing voice-initiated payments.

* Metaverse Transactions: Virtual agents within metaverse environments will require robust security protocols like TAP to facilitate secure transactions.

* Personalized Offers: TAP can support secure delivery of personalized offers and promotions through virtual agents.

Real-World Applications & Early Adopters

While still in its early stages of rollout, several companies are actively exploring and implementing TAP. Visa has been collaborating with leading fintech companies and payment processors to integrate the protocol into their platforms. Specific examples are currently limited due to the proprietary nature of these implementations, but Visa has publicly stated partnerships with companies specializing in AI-driven customer service and automated payment solutions.

Practical Tips for Businesses Considering TAP

* Assess Your Virtual Agent Infrastructure: Evaluate your current virtual agent platform and identify any security gaps.

* partner with a TAP-Enabled Provider: Work with a payment processor or technology provider that supports the Trusted Agent Protocol.

* Prioritize Agent Authentication: Implement robust agent authentication procedures to