Lightspark, the crypto infrastructure firm led by former PayPal president David Marcus, launched a new enterprise banking product that allows businesses and their AI agents to transact using stablecoins across more than 65 countries.
"Global payouts are a huge cost for businesses. They pay other entities that are taking their money and data to move money on their behalf," David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark, said. "With Grid Global Accounts, we’ve created opportunities for these businesses to turn this big cost structure into a revenue source."
The product, Grid Global Accounts, allows platforms to offer branded dollar accounts, convert between dollars and stablecoins, issue Visa debit cards, and access instant foreign-exchange services. Behind the scenes, Lightspark manages the regulatory complexity through a network of FDIC-insured partners including Erebor, Cross River Bank, and Lead Bank, which handle licensing, compliance, and fraud monitoring.
Marcus said the launch is possible due to the maturing crypto ecosystem, including embedded wallets and clearer regulation like the stablecoin-focused GENIUS Act passed in July 2025. Founded in 2022 to build on Bitcoin's Lightning Network, Lightspark has raised $175 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Paradigm.
AI Agents Enter the Banking System
A core feature of the new product is its design for artificial intelligence agents. The platform allows users to create auditable operating pockets for agents with specific constraints, such as spending limits, approved payees, and instant revocation. This provides a framework for safely delegating financial tasks to AI.
"The interfaces that have been built for clumsy humans are going to be replaced with interfaces for agents," Marcus said. "The question is how do you provide a really good user interface for humans that is also great for agents to use safely and efficiently? And that’s what we’ve built."
This move coincides with broader industry efforts to create standards for AI-driven commerce. The FIDO Alliance, with contributions from Google and Mastercard, is developing protocols to secure transactions initiated by AI agents, aiming to prevent rogue behavior and provide accountability.
Visa Partnership and Competitive Field
The partnership with Visa gives Grid Global Account holders a direct off-ramp into Visa’s vast merchant network, allowing funds received to be spent almost anywhere. This integration is key for bridging the gap between the crypto and traditional financial systems.
Lightspark enters a competitive field. The stablecoin infrastructure market includes heavyweight Circle, which has expanded its own business offerings, and Bridge, a similar platform acquired by payments giant Stripe last year. Lightspark's focus on both business-to-business payments and the emerging AI agent economy serves as its primary differentiator.
The launch of Grid Global Accounts shows how regulatory clarity and maturing technology are creating new commercial uses for crypto infrastructure. By providing a compliant wrapper for stablecoin payments and building for a future of AI-managed finance, Lightspark is making a bid to become a central hub for automated, global commerce.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
