Tech & AI
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Wallet so its AI agents can pay for you
OpenAI's new ChatGPT Wallet, built with American Express, Mastercard and Visa, lets its AI agents buy things for you without seeing your real card number. That gives card companies a role in AI-driven shopping.
Quick Read
- OpenAI launched ChatGPT Wallet on Friday, letting its dots AI agents buy things for users, and built it with American Express, Mastercard and Visa.
- A token stands in for the real card number, so neither the merchant nor the AI agent sees it, and every purchase needs Face ID or a fingerprint.
- Visa and Mastercard shares rose on Friday as the S&P 500 fell, though no one quoted on the launch tied the gains to it.
- Access is limited to adult U.S. ChatGPT Pro subscribers for now, and OpenAI said it plans to widen it gradually.
What did OpenAI launch?
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT Wallet on Friday. It lets the company's dots AI agents, software that carries out tasks on its own, complete purchases for users.
Why it matters: OpenAI said it built the wallet with American Express (NYSE: AXP), Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Visa (NYSE: V). The rollout began Friday for adult ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the U.S. with eligible U.S.-issued cards.
How does it keep card details private?
Every purchase needs approval, OpenAI said. You review the items, the total and the card, then confirm with Face ID or a fingerprint.
The card network then creates a token, a stand-in set of card details. The merchant and the AI agent never see the real card number. OpenAI said card rewards and protections for qualifying disputes still apply.
Luke Gebb, head of Global Innovation at American Express, said in OpenAI's blog post that eligible Amex cardholders can pay with their card and still approve each purchase.
How did the card stocks trade?
Visa shares rose 1.3% on Friday and Mastercard gained 1.3%. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%. No one quoted on the launch tied those gains to the wallet.
The effect on a broad fund was small. Visa accounts for 0.82% of the value of the 500 largest U.S. companies, so its gain added $11 to $100,000 spread across them by size.
What comes next?
What’s next: OpenAI said it plans to gather feedback from early users with businesses, banks and payment networks, then widen access gradually. Chaya Nayak, OpenAI's head of product for monetization and payments, told CNBC the company wants to prioritize merchants and network partners.
Rivals are building agents too. Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: META) launched Muse, an AI agent that browses websites, sorts email and handles multi-step tasks, on Sept. 8. Meta shares rose 2.9% on Friday.
A broader read on shopper spending comes Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. ET, when the October retail sales report shows how much consumers spent.
For readers
What it could mean for you: If you carry an American Express, Visa or Mastercard card and pay for ChatGPT Pro, this reaches you as a customer. OpenAI said wallet purchases keep your card rewards and protections for qualifying disputes, and the store never sees your real card number. For now, only U.S. Pro subscribers with eligible U.S.-issued cards can use it. If OpenAI widens access as it plans, more cardholders could get the option of letting an AI agent shop for them. OpenAI said each purchase needs Face ID or a fingerprint.
Questions and answers
What is ChatGPT Wallet?
It is a payment feature OpenAI introduced on Friday that lets its dots AI agents complete purchases for users. OpenAI said it built the wallet with American Express, Mastercard and Visa.
Does ChatGPT Wallet share your card number with stores?
No, according to OpenAI. The card network issues a token with substitute card details, so the merchant and the AI agent never see the actual card information.
Who can use ChatGPT Wallet?
At launch, adult ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the U.S. who hold eligible cards issued in the U.S. OpenAI said it plans to widen access gradually after gathering feedback from early users.
Do card rewards still apply to ChatGPT Wallet purchases?
OpenAI said existing card rewards stay in place for purchases made through the wallet, along with protections for qualifying disputes.
The numbers
| Meta Platforms (META) price | $641.69 |
|---|---|
| Meta Platforms (META) change | +2.90% |
| Meta Platforms (META) market value | $1.4 trillion |
| Meta Platforms (META) 52-week high | $777.59 |
| Mastercard (MA) price | $661.19 |
| Mastercard (MA) change | +1.32% |
| Mastercard (MA) market value | $570 billion |
| Mastercard (MA) 52-week high | $672.39 |
| S&P 500 change | −0.40% |
| 10-year Treasury yield | 5.15% |
Week ended Friday
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