Service initially available to US Pro subscribers aged 18 and older

Fingerprint or facial authentication required for every transaction

The OpenAI ChatGPT logo is displayed on a smartphone screen resting on a laptop. [Getty Images]
The OpenAI ChatGPT logo is displayed on a smartphone screen resting on a laptop. [Getty Images]

OpenAI has teamed up with major card networks to launch a virtual wallet that lets AI agents make payments on behalf of users.

The company announced Friday (local time) the release of ChatGPT Wallet, a virtual wallet designed for AI agents.

Built in partnership with Visa, Mastercard and American Express, the service will initially be available to US-based Pro subscribers aged 18 and older — those paying $100 or more per month.

With ChatGPT Wallet, an AI agent called Dots can complete purchases and other transactions on a user's behalf. The system is designed to keep financial information from being exposed to outside parties.

To guard against unauthorized charges, however, users must provide fingerprint or facial authentication to give final approval for each purchase.

OpenAI also released a guide to help online retailers handle access and purchases by AI agents.

Card networks responded positively to the service. Sherry Haymond, a Mastercard vice president, said industry-wide collaboration could turn "the potential of agent-based commerce into a trusted experience for both people and businesses."

Whether the service will gain traction in e-commerce remains to be seen. Amazon does not allow external AI agents to access its platform, and United Airlines has blocked AI agents from its website.


hajun825@heraldcorp.com