Link’s AI wallet usage soars 38-fold in a month, signaling a new era of automated payments

AI-driven purchases surge

Stripe revealed that transactions made by artificial intelligence assistants through its Link digital wallet increased 38-fold in just one month. The data, published on September 29, covers the period before the announcement and marks a significant leap in AI-powered payments.

How transactions work

Assistants like Meta’s Muse, Grok Bot, and Instinct can now use Link to make purchases on behalf of consumers. With Muse, users link their Link account directly in the conversation and authorize the purchase amount. The wallet is accepted at over 1 million merchants. If a merchant already accepts Link, the payment uses the customer’s saved method; otherwise, Stripe generates a single-use virtual card without exposing the original payment details.

Protection and security

To reassure users, Stripe announced free coverage for eligible purchases made by agents, starting with Muse. This protection may include accidental damage, product loss, and post-purchase price drops, subject to program conditions. Additionally, Visa, Mastercard, and Ant International have partnered to verify agent identities before authorizing transactions, enhancing system security.

Outlook for Brazil

National surveys already show Brazilians’ interest in automated shopping. A study by Fbiz and On The Go found that 46% of AI users rely on the technology to research products or services before buying. Meanwhile, a Global Payments survey revealed that 41% of Brazilians require confirmation before an AI-executed transaction. Despite this demand, Link for agents is currently only available in the United States, and Stripe has not yet announced a launch date for Brazil.

Conclusion

The exponential growth of AI-driven purchases on Link shows that payment automation is moving beyond experimentation and into everyday consumer life. As technology advances, issues like spending approval, data privacy, and security remain critical. The model is expected to expand internationally soon, and Brazil, with its innovation-focused consumer market, could be a key next destination.