Stripe Link balances also use the Visa network... AI purchase liability is separate

Stripe has begun a limited U.S. rollout of Link Balance, letting AI agents make card purchases within user-set balances and spending limits, with the feature available to select Instinct users as of an October 26 announcement. Stripe Crypto said the product relies on Tempo stablecoins, Privy wallets and Stripe's onramp, while the disclosed Link prepaid debit card terms name Lead Bank as issuer and convert stablecoin balances to dollars at transaction time. Purchases settle over the Visa debit card network, meaning approval confirms payment but not that the agent honored the user's product conditions, which must be verified separately. The launch matters because it pushes agentic commerce onto existing card rails while keeping stablecoin funding and wallet custody in Stripe's stack. What to watch next is whether Stripe widens the rollout beyond select Instinct users and how disputes and mandate compliance are handled when agents buy on users' behalf.