ERC-8004 Mainnet Launch Brings Portable Trust for AI Agents
- ERC-8004 mainnet launch enables AI agents to carry portable reputation across platforms.
- Standard adds on-chain identity registries to establish trust between autonomous AI agents.
- Ethereum positions itself as a neutral trust layer for AI services as adoption grows.
Ethereum is preparing to roll out ERC-8004 on mainnet, marking a key shift in how AI services scale globally. The new standard focuses on trust and reputation as AI agents expand across platforms and organizations.
Ethereum confirmed the upcoming launch in a post shared on X. Community discussions suggest the rollout could arrive as early as Thursday, Jan. 29. The standard introduces new tools for AI agents to discover each other and verify identities on-chain.
As AI systems grow more autonomous, coordination challenges continue to rise. Many AI agents now exchange data, handle value and make decisions without direct human control. Existing trust models struggle to support these machine-driven interactions at scale.
ERC-8004 aims to address this gap by using Ethereum as a neutral trust layer. The standard preserves consistent credibility while enabling AI agents to communicate across ecosystems. Developers anticipate that this strategy will facilitate gatekeeper-free open markets for AI services.
Portable identity for AI agents
ERC-8004 introduces on-chain registries that assign each AI agent a portable identity. These identities allow agents to prove who they are across different platforms and applications. Over time, the registries record reputation data tied to agent behavior and performance.
This setup allows credibility to move with an agent wherever it operates. Agents no longer depend on a single company or application to establish trust. Instead, independent parties can verify agent histories through shared blockchain records.
Ethereum developers say the design supports cooperation, negotiation and service delivery between agents. Before exchanging information or carrying out delicate tasks, agents can verify identities. This verification reduces reliance on centralized platforms that currently manage trust.
Additionally, ERC-8004 expands upon current standards for agent communication. It adds a blockchain-based layer focused on accountability and reputation. To minimize network costs, the majority of computation stays off-chain.
The blockchain serves as a reference point rather than a processing hub. This balance allows scalability while preserving verifiable trust signals. Developers say the approach fits Ethereum’s long-term design goals.
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The standard arrives as AI agents move beyond experimentation. Currently, a lot of systems are ready for actual implementation in various industries. By 2026, AI agents may handle payments, data access, and automated decisions.
Current trust frameworks were designed for human users. They struggle when machines interact continuously and at high volume. ERC-8004 targets this mismatch by redefining trust for machine coordination.
Contributors submitted the proposal in August 2025. They formally presented it in October through Ethereum ecosystem discussions. Participants included contributors linked to the Ethereum Foundation and partner teams.
Developers involved in the effort say ERC-8004 turns Ethereum into shared infrastructure for AI trust. They view the network as a neutral layer rather than an application platform. This role could expand Ethereum’s reach beyond finance into AI services.
Ethereum’s upcoming roadmap is also in line with the anticipated mainnet launch. In 2026, the network intends to make a number of security and scalability improvements. ERC-8004 fits within broader efforts to support new use cases responsibly.
If adopted widely, the standard could enable global AI service markets. Agents could offer services across organizations without centralized approval. Reputation would replace platform control as the primary trust mechanism.
