Base, the Ethereum layer-2 network developed by Coinbase, has introduced a new tool that connects Base accounts with artificial intelligence agents for blockchain activity. The service, called Base MCP, is designed to let users interact with crypto assets through AI chat interfaces while keeping final approval in the hands of the account holder.
The system allows users to ask supported AI models such as Claude and ChatGPT to transfer funds, swap tokens, check balances, review transaction history, and access integrated applications across the Base ecosystem. Base said the tool is compatible with protocols including Morpho, Moonwell, Uniswap, Aerodrome, Avantis, Bankr and Virtuals.
When an agent prepares a transaction, the proposed action appears in chat and the Base wallet opens in a separate window for confirmation or cancellation. Base said the agent cannot access private keys, and all actions require explicit user approval. The company also said asset changes are simulated before the transaction is confirmed, matching the standard review process used for Base account requests.
The launch reflects growing interest in so-called agentic payments, which proponents view as a potential major use case for crypto. Advocates argue that AI systems may increasingly need digital assets to make payments as they encounter friction with traditional banking rails.
Base also said MCP should help broaden adoption of its x402 protocol, an agent-based payment standard introduced in May 2025. Coinbase AI product head Lincoln Murr said the approach is intended to keep a user’s Base account consistent across both AI environments and the Base app, while also enabling a new micro-payment model for agents.
Even so, the market remains in an early phase. Data from x402scan shows that x402 processed about $1.1 million in volume over the past 30 days, underscoring the limited scale of current usage.
The idea has also drawn scrutiny. A recent research paper from google and several universities warned that AI agents should be treated as untrusted components because they can be manipulated by hidden instructions. Earlier this week, the developer platform Socket identified malware aimed at crypto developers that attempted to exploit AI coding assistants through concealed commands.Bitmine Immersion Technologies made its largest Ether purchase of 2026 last week, adding 111,942 ETH after the token slipped below $2,200 and was viewed by management as an attractive entry point. The buying came as Ether traded in a narrow range between $2,025 and $2,147 over the past week, extending a steep decline from last year’s peak.
Chairman Tom Lee said the company remains convinced that crypto is entering a broader supercycle, supported by Wall Street’s growing interest in tokenization and the rise of AI-driven software agents. He said Bitmine continues to accumulate Ether steadily and now holds nearly 5.4 million tokens.
Bitmine had slowed its purchases earlier in the month after several weeks of accumulating more than 100,000 ETH per week. Even with that pause, the company has remained one of the most aggressive corporate buyers in the market. Its strategy mirrors the approach of Bitcoin treasury company Strategy, with Bitmine positioning itself as the largest Ether treasury holder.
The firm’s long-term objective is to own 5% of Ether’s circulating supply, currently about 120.7 million tokens. To get above 6 million ETH, Bitmine still needs roughly 644,596 more tokens. Lee has indicated that the target could be reached later this year.
Bitmine is also increasing its focus on staking, which allows Ether holders to earn rewards by helping secure the network. The company said it has staked more than 4.7 million Ether and expects annualized staking revenue of about $276 million.
The wider Ether treasury sector is facing growing pressure to produce yield rather than simply hold the asset, especially as spot crypto ETFs have given investors another way to gain exposure. At the same time, staking activity across Ethereum continues to climb. More than 39.2 million ETH, or about 32.19% of the supply, is now staked, while another 3.3 million ETH is waiting to be activated. Ether waiting to exit staking has also risen, with the exit queue holding about 234,368 ETH.
