Visa and Akamai Technologies announced a partnership that integrates Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol with Akamai’s edge‑based behavioral intelligence, user recognition, and bot‑and‑abuse protection. The collaboration will give merchants real‑time identity verification and fraud controls for AI agents that browse, compare, and purchase on behalf of consumers, creating a trusted layer for the emerging agentic commerce market.
The partnership is driven by a sharp rise in AI‑powered bot traffic—reported as a 300% year‑over‑year surge and more than 25 billion bot requests in a two‑month period—alongside a projected $1.7 trillion global market for agentic commerce by 2030. Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, designed to scale across 175 million merchant locations, will be bolstered by Akamai’s edge security and threat intelligence, positioning both companies to capture a significant share of this high‑growth space.
Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, said the collaboration “enables merchants to securely identify agents with an intent to buy, providing a better payment and personalized experience for known users.” Ryan McInerney, Visa’s CEO, highlighted that the Trusted Agent Protocol “lets sellers use existing websites as agent‑friendly storefronts, speeding time to market and simplifying integration.” Patrick Sullivan, Akamai’s Chief Technology Officer for Security Strategy, noted that combining the protocols “solves the dual‑identity challenge that is crucial to AI commerce.”
Analysts view the deal as a strategic response to the growing threat of AI‑driven fraud and a bet on the rapid expansion of agentic commerce. The partnership aligns with Visa’s broader AI initiatives—such as its $100 million Generative AI Ventures program—and Akamai’s shift toward cloud security, reinforcing both companies’ competitive positioning in the digital commerce landscape.
The collaboration is expected to deliver a low‑latency, scalable solution that protects merchants while unlocking new AI‑driven commerce opportunities, potentially reshaping how payments and security are integrated for automated shopping agents.
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