Business · Markets · 2 hrs ago
Crypto firms adopt AI trading agents as security concerns grow
At a cryptocurrency conference in Singapore, founders and executives discussed how artificial intelligence is changing crypto trading.
Platforms including Robinhood, OKX, Binance and Bybit have introduced tools that let software agents manage trades.
Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik expects trading with agents to become normal by 2028, though he said that shift has not yet happened.
AI-assisted coding is also making it easier to build crypto applications, so founders say attracting and keeping users is becoming more important.
But autonomous agents can pose security risks: research found agents repeatedly tried, unsuccessfully, to submit trades on the Quidax exchange in September.
Crypto platforms are attractive targets because transactions cannot be reversed and weaknesses in their software can be exploited.
Some founders expect stronger safeguards and AI-based testing to help make crypto systems more secure over time.
Crypto exchanges and trading platforms are introducing AI agents to help users manage trades.
Nansen CEO Alex Svanevik said he expects trading with agents to become the norm by 2028.
More than 150,000 customers had opened agentic accounts on Robinhood by late September, the company said.
Autonomous agents have also tried to submit trades on the crypto exchange Quidax, but the attempts failed.
Security experts warn that crypto platforms are vulnerable to hacking, while some founders expect new safeguards to contain the risks.
- Who
- Crypto firms, traders and AI agents are at the center of the story. Security experts and crypto founders describe the risks and opportunities.
- What
- Crypto platforms are adopting AI agents for trading as concerns grow about agents and other hackers targeting the sector.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026. It reports developments from September and the previous week.
- Where
- The developments involve crypto platforms and exchanges, including Robinhood and Quidax. TOKEN2049 took place in Singapore.
- Why
- Firms are introducing agents to help users manage trades. Crypto platforms are attractive hacking targets because transactions are irreversible and anonymous, and flaws can provide entry points.
Crypto AI adopters and founders
Crypto security experts
Use and outlook
Crypto AI adopters and founders
Firms are adding agentic trading features, and founders expect agents to become a normal way to trade. Some founders believe guardrails and AI will eventually help contain security threats.
Crypto security experts
Security experts warn that agents can attack crypto platforms and that the sector is experiencing more hacks.
AI agents repeatedly tried to submit trades on Quidax, but the trades failed.
Robinhood said more than 150,000 customers had opened agentic accounts.
TOKEN2049, where AI was a prominent theme, took place in Singapore.
- TOKEN2049 attendance
- 25,000
- Robinhood users
- Roughly 29 million
- Robinhood agentic accounts
- More than 150,000 by late September
- Nansen CEO's forecast
- Trading with agents will be the norm by 2028
- Quidax attempted trades
- Sept. 19–20; the trades failed
What people are saying
By 2028, the norm will be to trade with agents rather than clicking buttons on a user interface
Agents can do a lot more than people have already done
When I think about my old world of electronic trading, we were playing around with Nvidia GPUs to trim things out—agentic trading is the next step.
Even with these hacks happening, it’ll eventually create a more bulletproof ecosystem.
Sources
Related news
IMF raises 2026 global growth forecast to 3.1% as AI investment supports growth
Robert Hall and Michael Woodford win 2026 economics prize
IMF sees 3.1% global growth in 2026 as AI investment offsets war shock
IMF and World Bank leaders urge support for young workers facing AI disruption
Oil prices dip as expected Russian diesel supplies offset Gulf risks
Top economies face largest budget deficits since Covid, IMF warns
Copper and Aluminum Fall as AI Spending Concerns Weigh on Demand Outlook
Brent crude rebounds to $106.65 as shipping and security risks weigh
Asian chip and AI stocks fall sharply ahead of US earnings
Debt, inflation and AI borrowing raise risk of disorderly bond-yield spike
IMF flags AI slowdown and rising yields as global market risks
