Visa is launching a Trusted Agent Protocol aimed at enhancing security for transactions involving AI agents. This protocol will help merchants identify and verify legitimate AI agents, protecting them from fraud perpetrated by malicious bots. Visa’s initiative is part of a broader strategy called agentic commerce, which allows AI agents to handle purchases on behalf of consumers. With Visa's vast network of 4.8 billion credentials, these AI agents will be able to make secure transactions at millions of merchant locations globally. The Trusted Agent Protocol employs cryptographic signatures specific to each agent, ensuring that transactions are secure and verified. This approach not only prevents fraud but also maintains the connection between consumers and merchants, preserving customer relationships. The protocol is designed to be an open, low-code solution, allowing merchants to integrate it into their existing systems without significant changes to their infrastructure. Visa’s Intelligent Commerce suite already includes features such as tokenization and authentication, facilitating AI-driven shopping experiences. This development is part of an ongoing effort to build trust in the agentic commerce ecosystem, addressing the challenges posed by the increasing use of AI in financial transactions. The article also includes a comment from Shikko Nijland, who raises questions about digital mandates and the nature of the protocol, indicating ongoing discussions about trust in this evolving landscape.