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AI Agents Revolutionize Global Commerce: The Dawn Of Agentic Commerce

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 29, 2025

Emergence Of Agentic Commerce

Major payment and technology companies are pioneering the next evolution in global commerce—agentic commerce, a system where artificial intelligence agents perform searches, compare prices, and execute purchases on behalf of consumers. This transformation builds on the growing consumer reliance on chatbots for everyday transactions and represents a significant shift from traditional e-commerce models.

From Digital To Intelligent

Industry leaders such as Visa and Mastercard are at the forefront, designing infrastructure that integrates AI into the payment process. Sandeep Malhotra, Executive Vice President for Core Payments in Asia Pacific at Mastercard, highlighted that we have transitioned from cash to digital, and now from digital to intelligent commerce. This progression promises a transformative impact potentially greater than the advent of platforms like Amazon.

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How Agentic Commerce Works

The concept of agentic commerce involves AI systems that autonomously handle product discovery, price comparisons, and secure payments without requiring users to switch between multiple interfaces. For example, a user may instruct an AI to find and book the cheapest red-eye flight from Singapore to Tokyo under $500. The AI agent would then process the search, present the best options, finalize the payment using stored credentials, and complete the booking—all within a single conversational interface.

Piloting The Future

Both Visa and Mastercard have initiated early pilot programs to refine and secure this technology. With promising tests in regions such as Asia Pacific, experts predict the technology will fully materialize around early 2026. The rapid adoption of AI-enhanced shopping experiences, as evidenced by a significant rise in AI-driven retail site traffic reported by Adobe, underscores the market’s readiness for this innovation.

Addressing Structural And Security Challenges

While the efficiency gains and convenience of agentic commerce are evident, there are significant challenges to overcome. Payment companies are developing robust security measures, including ‘agentic tokens’ and the recently launched Trusted Agent Protocol by Visa, to authenticate AI agents and distinguish them from malicious bots. Additionally, liability concerns must be addressed as AI systems introduce a new fifth party into the traditional four-party payment transaction framework.

Implications For Merchants And Consumers

Proponents argue that agentic commerce will streamline shopping by reducing search costs and personalizing consumer experiences. However, this shift will also require merchants to innovate rapidly—adapting their loyalty programs, pricing strategies, and customer engagement models to remain competitive in an AI-driven market. As consumer behavior evolves, traditional e-commerce practices will inevitably give way to this emerging paradigm.

The Unavoidable Shift

Despite potential hiccups during the formative phase, industry experts agree that the evolution towards agentic commerce is inevitable. With investments from major players and collaborations with AI innovators such as OpenAI, the transition from digital to intelligent commerce will redefine consumer transactions. In the near future, companies across the payment and tech sectors are poised to benefit from a more efficient, secure, and personalized shopping experience.

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Keve Welcomes New Cyprus Business Development Organisation

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) has welcomed Parliament’s unanimous approval of legislation establishing the Cyprus Business Development Organisation, describing it as a major step toward improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, startups and self-employed professionals.

Expanding Access To Finance

The legislation creates a new public body aimed at addressing financing gaps by supporting businesses that struggle to secure funding through traditional channels.

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According to Keve, the initiative could strengthen entrepreneurship, boost competitiveness and support Cyprus’ green and digital transition. The chamber has long argued that SMEs rely too heavily on bank financing, limiting investment, expansion and innovation.

Keve Calls For Swift Implementation

Keve said it helped shape the legislation through the consultation process and called for the organisation to become operational as quickly as possible. It also pledged to continue working with the Finance Ministry and the organisation’s management to support implementation.

How The Organisation Will Operate

Approved by Parliament on Tuesday, the legislation establishes Cyprus’ national business development body under the supervision of the Finance Minister, while the Central Bank of Cyprus will oversee anti-money laundering compliance.

The organisation will design financing programmes, provide loans and conduct studies to identify weaknesses in the financing market.

Cyprus will provide €60 million in initial capital. Over time, the body will also be able to raise funding from European and international institutions and benefit from state guarantees linked to approved strategic priorities.

Recovery Plan Milestone

Creation of the organisation is one of the final milestones under Cyprus’ Recovery and Resilience Plan and is required for the country to receive the plan’s ninth and final payment. Appointment of the board of directors remains the last outstanding step.

Before approving the bill, the Finance Ministry revised the draft following consultations with MPs and stakeholders. The changes removed provisions allowing the organisation to establish companies and narrowed the list of eligible beneficiaries by excluding small mid-cap companies.

Lawmakers also strengthened governance rules by introducing stricter board suitability requirements, conflict-of-interest safeguards, enhanced reporting obligations and borrowing limits. A seven-member board appointed by the Cabinet will oversee the organisation, while a transitional board will serve for two years until it becomes fully operational.