Manik Surtani, Head of Open Source at Block, highlights the transformative potential of agentic AI in fintech, particularly as it moves beyond internal operations to customer-facing solutions. By 2025, AI agents are expected to automate complex workflows with minimal human input. However, the fragmented nature of the current financial ecosystem, where each entity uses its own data formats and APIs, poses a significant challenge. The industry risks perpetuating the same siloed systems that have hindered innovation for years unless there is a collective shift toward open standards. The recent formation of the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF) by Block, Anthropic, and OpenAI, along with the Linux Foundation, aims to establish these open standards. The goal is to enhance interoperability in financial technology, allowing AI agents to access consistent data and act across various platforms. For instance, the Model Context Protocol (MCP) has already gained traction, with companies like Stripe and Shopify implementing it to facilitate smoother interactions between AI and financial systems. This kind of interoperability could enable agents to automate tasks like reconciling expenses and managing cash flow across multiple platforms, breaking down barriers between previously isolated services. The article emphasizes that open standards not only simplify integration but also create a foundation for scalable agentic behavior. Smaller fintech companies stand to benefit from this approach, as it allows them to connect with banks and processors without incurring heavy engineering costs. The push for shared schemas and protocols will enable a new generation of specialized AI agents that can collaborate effectively, enhancing overall efficiency in financial operations. The success of agentic AI hinges on industry-wide participation and commitment to developing these standards, rather than relying on proprietary solutions.