Kite is a next-generation blockchain built for a future in which AI doesn’t just analyze or assist, but actively participates in the economy. Instead of humans approving every transaction, Kite is designed for autonomous AI agents that can manage money, verify identity, and coordinate with each other securely, without constant human oversight. This vision is often described as the rise of an “agent economy,” where AI systems function as independent economic actors.
Technically, Kite is an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain, allowing it to work seamlessly with existing Ethereum tools while being optimized for high speed and scalability. Its main differentiator is that it is purpose-built for AI-to-AI transactions. Payments are extremely fast, transaction fees are minimal, and stablecoins are central to the system. This design supports microtransactions—small, frequent payments that are essential for AI services that operate continuously rather than through large, one-time fees.
Security and autonomy are managed through a three-layer identity model that separates humans, AI agents, and individual agent sessions. A person can own or create an AI agent, but the agent can still act independently within predefined permissions. Even short-lived sessions used by agents have their own identities, reducing risk and making large-scale automation safer and more controlled.
Kite also emphasizes truly machine-native payments. By adopting the x402 payment standard, AI agents can automatically initiate, retry, and settle payments without manual input. This enables features such as gasless transactions and instant stablecoin settlements using assets like USDC and USDT. In practice, this means AI agents can exchange value as easily as software systems exchange data today.
A major component of the network is Kite AIR, its identity and discovery layer. Kite AIR provides each AI agent with a verifiable on-chain identity, similar to a digital passport, allowing others to confirm who the agent is and what permissions it has. An integrated agent marketplace allows AI services to be discovered, hired, and paid automatically. Some early integrations already connect these agents to real-world e-commerce and payment platforms, enabling practical, transparent interactions beyond crypto-native use cases.
The broader ecosystem is expanding rapidly. Kite is collaborating with projects like Brevis to introduce zero-knowledge verification, which enhances trust while protecting sensitive information. It is also building cross-chain identity and payment capabilities, allowing AI agents to operate across multiple blockchains instead of being confined to a single network.
Kite’s native token, KITE, launched in November 2025 and quickly drew significant attention. Trading volume surged in the early hours, and the token was listed across several major global exchanges. As with most new launches, volatility followed, but strong liquidity and accessibility remain. Over time, KITE is expected to play a central role in governance, incentives, and staking as more network features are activated.
Financially, Kite is well supported. The project has raised approximately $33 million from prominent institutional investors, including PayPal Ventures, General Catalyst, Samsung Next, and Coinbase Ventures. This level of backing reflects strong confidence in Kite’s long-term goal of enabling AI-driven economic systems.
From a development perspective, Kite has already completed multiple large-scale testnets with substantial agent activity. Its public mainnet is being released in phases, with expanded stablecoin support and more advanced governance tools planned through 2026. Developers already have access to APIs, tooling, and documentation designed specifically for applications where AI agents can interact, transact, and collaborate with minimal friction.
In short, Kite aims to become the financial and identity infrastructure for a world where AI systems act as independent digital workers. While the concept is still early and real-world adoption will determine its ultimate impact, Kite is clearly positioning itself at the intersection of blockchain and AI—pushing toward a future where machines can participate directly in the global economy.
