EMVCo Concluded Public Comment on Agentic Payments
The standards body has finished reviewing input on a new framework designed to secure and authenticate AI-driven transactions.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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EMVCo closed its public comment period for a proposed Agentic Payments framework on September 30, 2026. The initiative aims to standardize how information about consumer-authorized intent moves through digital payment systems.
Why it matters
As AI agents increasingly handle retail tasks, ecosystem participants need standardized methods to verify delegated authority and facilitate dispute resolution. This framework seeks to provide a reliable structure for identifying agents and managing transaction intent securely.
The framework proposes a shared layer for registering and managing authorized intent, associating a payment credential with the AI agent before a transaction begins. Future developments may include updates to EMV 3-D Secure and EMV Payment Tokenization.
The players
EMVCo
This global technical body manages the standards and specifications for payment card technology and secure transactions.
The details
The proposal introduces Intent Services to track consumer-authorized intent and proposes Agentic payment indicators to assist with fraud prevention and risk assessment. The organization is also investigating Know Your Agent capabilities to accurately identify agents during the transaction flow.
Timeline
June 2026 saw the publication of a report regarding AI shopper intent.
August 2026 marked the release of data on AI retail migration.
EMVCo issued the request for comment on September 1, 2026.
The public comment period officially closed on September 30, 2026.
The Tech Race
The proposed Agentic Payments framework marks a strategic update to the EMV 3-D Secure authentication protocol to account for AI-driven purchase flows. This initiative positions the industry to move beyond human-centric authentication by standardizing how digital agents interact with financial infrastructure.
Users may soon experience more secure AI-assisted shopping as payment systems gain the ability to verify AI agent actions. These standards could eventually lead to smoother dispute resolution processes when AI agents handle retail transactions on behalf of consumers.
The takeaway
Standardizing AI payment authority is essential for reconciling automated convenience with financial security protocols. As these standards finalize, retailers and tech platforms will likely implement more transparent mechanisms for how AI interacts with consumer funds.
Further reading
For broader context on how emerging technologies are reshaping the digital landscape, explore our Artificial Intelligence section.
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