Swiss Bank Lets AI Write Your Crypto Checks-No Keys Left Behind!

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Banks Hand AI Agents the Wheel On-Chain, Sygnum Goes First

As a researcher following the evolution of AI in finance, I’ve been observing a fascinating shift. We’re now seeing AI agents move beyond simply offering advice and actually *executing* transactions within banking. A recent example is Sygnum bank, which successfully completed live transactions on the blockchain using an AI agent, all while their clients maintained complete control of their assets.

The pilot program utilizes a secure system developed by the AI@Sygnum team. It’s powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI and ensures that private keys remain safely stored on the user’s device.

Banks Race to Move AI Agents Beyond Advice

For months, financial institutions have been moving beyond simply using AI to offer advice, and are now actively using it to complete transactions. This shift is happening at both traditional banks and companies that hold digital assets.

Sygnum has become the first Swiss bank authorized by regulators to use artificial intelligence for real-time cryptocurrency transactions. Customers can simply describe what they want to do, and the AI will figure out the necessary steps, check the relevant smart contracts for potential problems, and highlight any risks before the transaction is finalized with the customer’s approval.

Signatures are created directly on the user’s device using their own secure wallet, meaning they always maintain full control of their private keys. This enables a variety of actions, such as transferring stablecoins, exchanging assets, borrowing and lending with crypto, converting tokens, and providing liquidity to markets.

According to Thomas Frei, Head of AI and Data Analytics at Sygnum Bank, linking AI agents to digital wallets is a key step in the future of finance. He predicts that over the next ten years, these agents will manage transactions, finalize settlements, and engage with financial markets for their clients.

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Sygnum has successfully completed the first live test of digital asset transactions managed by an AI agent for a Swiss bank. This groundbreaking trial shows how AI can make transactions on the blockchain while ensuring clients maintain complete control, custody, and give consent throughout the entire process. This is a first for the Swiss banking industry.

— Sygnum Bank (@sygnumofficial) May 18, 2026

Sygnum isn’t the only company exploring this technology. Anchorage Digital launched Agentic Banking in May, which allows AI programs to securely transfer money using established banking systems.

FIS and Anthropic are working together to integrate AI that can act on its own into banking services. They’re beginning with a new AI tool specifically designed to help banks fight money laundering.

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2026-05-18 12:00