Austen Allred: Autonomous AI agents are revolutionizing crypto, US laws hinder AI corporate formation, and traditional finance’s shift signals new opportunities | Bankless

AI-driven software development could revolutionize the crypto industry by automating app creation and market analysis.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 20, 2026

Key takeaways

• Autonomous AI agents are seen as a pivotal innovation for the crypto industry.
• AI can drastically speed up the application development process.
• US laws currently prohibit AI entities from forming corporations.
• Crypto infrastructure may offer more efficient operations for AI entities.
• The New York Stock Exchange’s investment in crypto signals a shift in traditional finance.
• OKX offers a unified platform for centralized and decentralized crypto trading.
• Kelly’s company aims to automate software development and revenue generation.
• AI can autonomously generate software by breaking down tasks into smaller components.
• AI agents can successfully submit apps to the app store without human help.
• Identifying market gaps is crucial for building successful apps.
• The synergy between AI and crypto can lead to innovative business models.
• Traditional finance’s entry into crypto could reshape the financial landscape.
• AI’s ability to autonomously manage operations could redefine business efficiency.

Guest intro

Austen Allred is the co-founder and CEO of BloomTech, formerly known as Lambda School. He co-founded the media platform GrassWire and co-authored the bestselling growth hacking textbook Secret Sauce. Allred recently created Kelly Claude, an AI agent equipped with an LLC, bank accounts, a token, and a human employee to build and ship real software businesses.

The rise of autonomous AI in the crypto industry

• Autonomous AI agents is the killer use case the crypto industry has been waiting for

  — Austen Allred

• AI and crypto integration represents a significant technological intersection.
• The potential for innovation in the crypto space is highlighted by AI’s capabilities.
• AI agents can autonomously generate ideas and build applications.

• I had this AI agent that was almost autonomously coming up with ideas for stuff it could build

  — Austen Allred

• AI can reduce the need for human input in the development process.
• The crypto industry could benefit from AI’s efficiency in operations.
• AI’s role in crypto could lead to new market opportunities.

Legal challenges for AI entities in business

• US laws currently prevent AI from forming corporations.

• Turns out the laws in the United States don’t allow for inanimate objects to create corporations

  — Austen Allred

• Legal frameworks need to evolve to accommodate AI in entrepreneurship.
• The inability for AI to create corporations limits its business integration.
• Understanding legal limitations is crucial for AI’s future in business.
• AI’s potential in business is hindered by current legal restrictions.
• The evolution of legal frameworks could unlock AI’s full potential.
• AI’s role in business structures is a key area for future development.

The advantages of crypto infrastructure for AI

• AI entities may operate more effectively within a crypto infrastructure.

• The crypto rails are really interesting because it works seamlessly and flawlessly

  — Austen Allred

• Crypto systems offer advantages over traditional financial systems for AI.
• The seamless nature of crypto infrastructure benefits AI operations.
• AI integration with crypto can lead to more efficient processes.
• The limitations of traditional systems highlight crypto’s potential.
• Crypto’s flawless operation is ideal for AI entities.
• The synergy between AI and crypto is a significant technological advancement.

Traditional finance’s entry into the crypto space

• The NYSE’s investment in crypto marks a shift in traditional finance.

• The parent company of the NYSE just invested at a 25,000,000,000 valuation

  — Austen Allred

• Institutional interest in crypto is growing.
• Traditional finance’s entry could reshape the crypto landscape.
• The convergence of traditional finance and crypto is a major trend.
• Institutional investments indicate confidence in digital assets.
• The NYSE’s involvement highlights crypto’s growing importance.
• Traditional finance’s approach to crypto is evolving.

Innovations in crypto trading platforms

• OKX combines centralized and decentralized trading in one app.

• It’s the only app combining a full centralized exchange and self custody wallet

  — Austen Allred

• The platform streamlines user experience in crypto trading.
• Users benefit from having multiple trading options in one interface.
• OKX’s innovation enhances accessibility in the crypto market.
• The platform addresses challenges faced by crypto traders.
• Combining centralized and decentralized elements offers flexibility.
• OKX’s approach could set a new standard for crypto platforms.

The potential of AI in software development

• Kelly’s company aims to build software without human involvement.

• Kelly has infinite amounts of time and can build infinite numbers of things

  — Austen Allred

• AI can autonomously generate and build software applications.

• If you break that problem down and put it into smaller and smaller pieces

  — Austen Allred

• AI’s ability to manage tasks autonomously is a key innovation.
• The approach allows AI to follow processes similar to human developers.
• AI’s role in software development could lead to significant advancements.
• The potential for automation in software development is vast.

AI’s capability to autonomously manage app submissions

• AI agents can submit apps to the app store without human intervention.

• She has built a number of apps that have gone through to the app store

  — Austen Allred

• This capability showcases AI’s advanced development skills.
• AI’s success in app submissions highlights its potential in tech.
• The process demonstrates AI’s ability to generate revenue independently.
• AI’s role in app development could revolutionize the industry.
• The ability to autonomously manage submissions is a significant milestone.
• AI’s capabilities in software development are expanding rapidly.

Identifying market gaps for successful app development

• Building successful apps involves finding market gaps.

• We built a process for her to find what we call the gaps in the market

  — Austen Allred

• Market research is crucial for app development success.
• AI can analyze datasets to identify opportunities.
• The approach leads to the creation of apps that meet user needs.
• Understanding market demands is key to app success.
• AI’s role in market research enhances development strategies.
• The process highlights the importance of strategic planning in app development.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.