Vitalik Buterin proposes Ethereum as the AI settlement layer
- Gartner predicts that 40% of enterprise applications will feature task-specific AI agents by the end of 2026, up from under 5% in 2025.
- The proposal introduces ZK API usage credits, allowing users to pay for API calls while preserving privacy through zero-knowledge proofs.
- Ethereum’s average transaction fees were approximately $0.21 as of February, indicating feasible on-chain metering and settlement flows.
- Current systems force a choice between identity-linked billing and slow, expensive on-chain models that compromise user privacy.
- The proposal aims to handle between 500,000 to over three million transactions monthly tied to AI commerce using deposit-based billing.
Buterin’s research suggests Ethereum could serve as a neutral settlement layer for digital commerce, particularly in AI services where privacy is crucial. The proposal emphasizes building infrastructure that allows high-frequency API usage without compromising user identity or creating surveillance trails.
If successful, this model could redefine Ethereum’s role in digital transactions, potentially increasing its utilization as a settlement layer for AI services with millions of monthly transactions anticipated.(Source)
