Janine Hirt
CEO, Innovate Finance
Agentic payments – where autonomous AI agents securely make transactions on behalf of users – are the new frontier of global commerce.
Since the financial crisis, the UK has established itself as a global leader in financial services innovation. We have built an ecosystem that creates world-class fintech companies, attracts billions in investment, and sets standards others follow. As artificial intelligence reshapes the economy, Britain is approaching its next defining moment. The choices we make now will determine whether the UK strengthens its leadership or cedes ground to competitors.
Trust is the foundation of agentic commerce
Agentic payments have the potential to transform how people and businesses manage money. By combining the UK’s strengths as a global financial centre, fintech powerhouse and leader in AI, we have the opportunity to define the global standard for Agentic Commerce.
Autonomous agents remove administrative friction, while navigating complex financial decisions, making everyday commerce faster and more personalised. None of this can happen without trust.
As AI agents increasingly act on behalf of consumers, people must have complete confidence that those agents are secure, and acting within the limits of their authority. Trust will be the deciding factor in adoption.
Modernisation is the key
The UK has a strong regulatory foundation. The priority now is to modernise it for the age of Agentic Payments. That means establishing clear legal definitions for AI agents, expanding the UK Digital Verification Services Trust Framework so agents can securely verify identity and transaction attributes. In tandem with updating consumer protection and APP fraud reimbursement rules so liability is clear when an agent is compromised or acts beyond its mandate.
Autonomous agents remove administrative friction,
while navigating complex financial decisions,
making everyday commerce faster and more personalised
These reforms would give regulators the tools to protect consumers while giving businesses the certainty to innovate and invest.
Britain has led previous waves of fintech innovation by pairing entrepreneurial ambition with progressive regulation. Agentic Payments demand this approach. If we act with pace and purpose, the UK will not just keep up with the future of AI-driven finance – it will shape it.
