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Ethereum is preparing to deploy ERC-8004 on mainnet.
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The standard enables AI agents to act as economic participants onchain.
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Identity, reputation, and validation registries form the core framework.
A New Standard for AI Agents
Ethereum is preparing to launch ERC-8004 on mainnet, introducing a standardized framework that allows AI agents to interact, transact, and build reputation onchain. The proposal was first introduced in August 2025 and is now nearing live deployment.
ERC-8004 aims to support a decentralized AI economy where autonomous agents can provide services, enter agreements, and interact across platforms without centralized intermediaries.
How ERC-8004 Works
The proposal introduces three lightweight smart contract registries that can be deployed on Ethereum mainnet or Layer 2 networks. The identity registry assigns each AI agent a portable, censorship-resistant identifier. The reputation registry enables clients to leave verifiable feedback, while the validation registry allows third parties to verify agent output onchain.
These components are designed to let AI agents perform tasks ranging from low-risk services to higher-stakes activities, depending on trust and validation requirements.
Security and Trust Considerations
The proposal acknowledges potential risks, including Sybil attacks and misrepresentation of agent capabilities. To mitigate these risks, ERC-8004 relies on layered trust models combining reputation, validation, and trusted execution environments.
Ethereum contributors argue the network is uniquely positioned to settle AI-to-AI interactions due to its neutrality, security, and composability, potentially making it a foundational layer for autonomous digital economies.
