Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with Priya Jaiswal, a renowned expert in banking, business, and finance. With her deep knowledge of market analysis, portfolio management, and international business trends, Priya is the perfect person to help us unpack the latest developments in digital payments. We’re diving into Stripe’s groundbreaking agentic commerce protocol, a game-changing innovation that’s set to transform online shopping through AI-driven chat interactions. Our conversation explores how this technology works, its potential to reshape e-commerce, the strategic partnerships behind it, and what it means for merchants and shoppers alike. Let’s get started.
Can you break down what Stripe’s new “agentic commerce protocol” is and how it enables shopping directly through a chat?
Absolutely. Stripe’s agentic commerce protocol, or ACP, is a technical framework designed to facilitate purchases through AI-powered chat interfaces. The term “agentic” here refers to the ability of AI agents, like chatbots, to act autonomously on behalf of users within certain boundaries. Essentially, it allows these bots to select and buy items for shoppers based on preapproved parameters. The protocol works by issuing a shared payment token that’s specific to a merchant and purchase amount. This token is passed through an API to complete the transaction without exposing the buyer’s sensitive payment details. It’s a secure, seamless way to go from chatting with a bot to checking out in just a few steps.
What’s the significance of Stripe teaming up with OpenAI for this initiative, and how did this partnership come together?
The partnership with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is a strategic move to blend cutting-edge AI with payment processing expertise. OpenAI brings its strength in natural language processing and conversational AI, which makes the chat-to-checkout experience incredibly intuitive for users. While I don’t have insider details on how the collaboration started, it’s likely that Stripe saw OpenAI’s massive user base and advanced tech as a perfect fit to test and scale this new commerce model. Together, they’re creating a platform where AI doesn’t just assist with recommendations but actually closes the sale, which is a huge leap forward for digital transactions.
Stripe and OpenAI plan to roll out Instant Checkout to over 1 million Shopify merchants soon. Can you shed some light on what this rollout might look like?
From what’s been shared, Instant Checkout will be a major feature for Shopify merchants, enabling them to tap into chat-based sales channels. The exact timeline hasn’t been pinned down publicly, but the term “soon” suggests it’s on the near horizon—likely within the next few months. As for the rollout, I’d expect a phased approach, starting with select regions or larger merchants to iron out any kinks before a broader release. Stripe and OpenAI have mentioned expanding to more regions over time, which indicates they’ll prioritize markets with high e-commerce activity or strong Shopify presence. It’s a smart way to scale while ensuring the tech works smoothly across different systems and customer bases.
How do you think agentic commerce could change the online shopping experience for everyday consumers?
Agentic commerce has the potential to make online shopping far more personalized and efficient. Imagine chatting with a bot that already knows your preferences, budget, and style. It could curate a list of products—say, unique handmade items from a platform like Etsy—and complete the purchase for you, all within the chat window. The key is the preapproved parameters, which keep shoppers in control. For instance, you might set a spending limit or specify only certain categories of items. This balances automation with trust, reducing the friction of traditional e-commerce while still feeling like you’re making the final call. It’s like having a personal shopper that’s available 24/7.
A recent report predicts AI-driven commerce could reach a value of $1.7 trillion by 2030. What’s your perspective on this forecast and Stripe’s role in that growth?
I think the $1.7 trillion forecast is ambitious but plausible, given the rapid adoption of AI in everyday tech. E-commerce has already transformed how we shop, and adding AI agents into the mix could supercharge that shift by automating decisions and streamlining transactions. Stripe is positioning itself as a leader in this space by creating an open standard with ACP that works across different AI agents and payment providers. Their goal seems to be becoming the backbone of agentic commerce, ensuring businesses—whether they use Stripe or not—can integrate this tech without losing control of their customer relationships. If they pull that off, they’ll capture a significant slice of this growing market.
OpenAI mentioned that merchants will pay a small fee for purchases made through ChatGPT. How do you think Stripe and OpenAI will structure this to keep it fair for sellers?
While specifics on the fee structure haven’t been disclosed, I’d guess it will likely be a percentage of the transaction value or a flat rate per purchase, similar to existing payment processing models. The challenge for Stripe and OpenAI is to keep this fee competitive. Merchants are already juggling multiple costs, so the fee needs to reflect the added value of reaching new customers through chat platforms. I believe they’ll focus on transparency—clearly communicating what the fee covers—and perhaps offer tiered pricing based on transaction volume to accommodate smaller businesses. Balancing profitability with affordability will be key to getting widespread adoption.
For shoppers, the process is described as seamless, moving from chat to checkout in just a few taps. Can you walk us through what that user experience might feel like?
Sure, let’s imagine you’re chatting with a bot on a platform powered by ChatGPT. You’re looking for a gift, so you type something like, “Find me a unique handmade mug under $30.” The bot responds with a few options, pulling organic, relevant results without any sponsored bias. You pick one, and the bot confirms the merchant and total. With a couple of taps, you approve the purchase—maybe verifying your pre-set payment method or budget limit—and the bot handles the rest using a secure token. You don’t leave the chat, fill out long forms, or enter card details. It’s quick, conversational, and feels almost like texting a friend who just happens to shop for you.
What’s your forecast for the future of agentic commerce and AI-driven shopping over the next decade?
I’m optimistic about agentic commerce becoming a mainstream part of how we shop online within the next 5 to 10 years. As AI gets smarter and more integrated into our daily tools, I expect these agents to handle not just one-off purchases but recurring needs—think subscriptions, groceries, or even travel bookings—with minimal input from us. The tech will likely evolve to predict our preferences with uncanny accuracy, while still respecting privacy and control. For businesses, the challenge will be adapting to this bot-driven economy without losing the human touch. My forecast is that we’ll see a hybrid model emerge, where AI streamlines the process, but personal interaction remains an option for those who value it. Stripe and others paving the way now will shape how fast and far this trend goes.
