Macro analyst defines Ethereum as essential fuel for AI agents.
May 11, 2026
Jordi Visser, the founder of 22V Research, has recently increased his investment in Ethereum, citing the upcoming mass tokenization of assets as a key factor. Visser believes that Ethereum will play a crucial role in facilitating payments for AI agents through asset tokenization.
In Visser’s opinion, the relationship between artificial intelligence and blockchain is significant and often underestimated by the market. AI agents, which lack access to traditional banking services and credit, require digital assets like Ethereum or stablecoins to engage in autonomous transactions. These transactions eliminate the need for bank accounts, logins, or human authorization.
“AI agents are already operating among us, and they need tokens as their primary source of energy,” Visser emphasized.
Recent data from x402.org indicates that autonomous payment systems based on Coinbase processed over $24 million in transactions last month. Ethereum continues to lead the way in asset tokenization, capturing more than 60% of the market share. Visser believes that Ethereum’s technology is crucial for unlocking capital in previously illiquid instruments such as private lending and venture investments.
Despite his optimism about these technologies, Visser remains cautious about inflation risks. To safeguard his capital, he also holds positions in Bitcoin, gold, and silver. Additionally, recent reports from Arkham show that the Ethereum Foundation unstaked $49.6 million worth of ETH.
In April, Visser expressed his belief that the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization were approaching levels that indicated a potential trend reversal. Despite growing concerns among investors about a bear market, Visser remains confident in the future of Ethereum and its role in facilitating transactions for AI agents.
Overall, Visser’s insights highlight the growing importance of Ethereum in driving innovation within the artificial intelligence space. As tokenization of assets becomes more widespread, Ethereum’s role as a payment mechanism for AI agents is set to become increasingly essential in the coming years.
