# Arthur Hayes Says Digital Currencies Lack a Native Role for AI Agents

By Simon Yoon

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/technology/25598
Published: 2026-09-30T02:37:21.000Z
Updated: 2026-09-30T02:37:21.000Z
Section: Technology

> The Maelstrom CIO said AI agents need currency that can be converted directly and transparently into the computing power required to operate.

Arthur Hayes, chief investment officer of Maelstrom and co-founder of BitMEX, said existing digital currencies cannot serve as AI agents’ native currency because they do not directly connect money with computing resources.

Speaking at Korea Blockchain Week 2026, Hayes said an agent-focused currency should be directly and transparently exchangeable for the computing power required to operate. He included Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoins among the digital currencies that do not meet that standard.