Core Concepts
Agent identity, machine-scale payments, compliance primitives, and custody patterns.
Catena Labs is built on a few core ideas that make safe agent commerce possible.
These concepts work together to let AI agents use money without losing control, safety, or trust.
What this means
Agent identity means every AI agent has a clear, unique identity in the financial system.
- Not anonymous
- Not shared
- Not vague
Why this matters
Without identity:
- You don’t know which agent acted
- You don’t know who is responsible
- You can’t track behavior or mistakes
That makes trust impossible.
How Catena handles it
With Catena:
- Every agent is registered as a distinct entity
- Each agent is linked to a human or organization
- Every action is traceable to that agent
So when an agent spends money, you always know:
- Which agent acted
- Who owns it
- Under what rules
What this means
Machine scale payments are payments made at the speed machines work.
That means:
- Instant
- Always on
- No waiting for office hours
- No manual approvals every time
Why this matters
AI agents:
- Operate 24/7
- Make decisions in seconds
- Work across countries
Traditional finance is too slow for this.
How Catena handles it
Catena allows agents to:
- Send and receive money instantly
- Pay other agents or services automatically
- Operate globally without delays
All payments still follow rules set by humans.
What this means
Compliance primitives are basic building blocks that enforce rules automatically.
Instead of checking rules later, the system prevents bad actions from happening.
Why this matters
Rules like:
- Spending limits
- Approved recipients
- Time restrictions
- Usage conditions
Are often enforced manually today or ignored. That creates risk.
How Catena handles it
Catena builds rules directly into how money moves:
- An agent cannot break spending limits
- An agent cannot pay unapproved targets
- An agent cannot act outside allowed times
Rules are not optional they are enforced by default.
What this means
Custody is about who holds the money and who controls it. This is critical for safety.
Why this matters
AI agents should:
- Use money
- But not own money
- And not have unlimited access
Without proper custody, mistakes become disasters.
How Catena handles it
With Catena:
- Money is held securely under human or organizational ownership
- Agents are granted limited, rule based access
- Access can be changed, paused, or removed at any time
So: humans own the funds and agents operate within strict boundaries.
When combined:
- Agent identity provides clarity
- Machine scale payments provide speed
- Compliance primitives provide safety
- Custody patterns provide control
Together, they create trustworthy agent commerce.
