Mercury launches corporate credit cards for AI agents

Silicon Valley-based fintech Mercury has introduced virtual credit cards for artificial intelligence agents, a move designed to automate and manage corporate purchasing decisions. The feature is part of an expansion of Mercury's spend management tools.

The AI agent cards allow businesses to delegate spending authority to AI programs. Mercury co-founder and CEO Immad Akhund stated that the cards offer enhanced control and auditing capabilities for agent-driven expenses. This development reflects the increasing integration of AI into startup operations.

Founded in 2019, Mercury has gained significant traction among software-focused startups. Following the 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the company positioned itself as a stable alternative, attracting substantial deposit inflows. Mercury reports serving one in three U.S. startups and has maintained GAAP profitability for four consecutive years.

Alongside the AI agent cards, Mercury is enhancing its spend management offering with features like automated accounting, policy enforcement, and AI assistant integration. These additions aim to compete with established players like Ramp and Brex, positioning Mercury as a comprehensive financial solution for growing businesses.

Mercury is also pursuing a national bank charter, a strategic step to reduce reliance on third-party banks and strengthen its regulatory standing. While agentic payments are still emerging, Mercury's new cards bridge the gap between existing payment infrastructure and future autonomous commerce.