A new Ethereum standard expected to hit the mainnet this week could reshape how autonomous AI agents identify and work together without relying on centralized platforms.
Summary
- ERC-8004 introduces a shared framework for AI agents to verify identity and reputation on Ethereum
- The standard is designed to support trust between autonomous systems running on different platforms.
- Community signals suggest the launch could happen as soon as January 29 on the Ethereum mainnet.
A post shared by Ethereum on X on January 27 announced the imminent launch of the new standard, dubbed ERC-8004. Community discussions suggest the rollout could take place as early as Thursday, January 29.
Without the need for centralized intermediaries, the ERC-8004 will allow AI agents to find each other, confirm their identities, and communicate across various platforms. It is seen by many developers as an important step toward a more decentralized basis for AI services on Ethereum (ETH) and other EVM-enabled networks.
Foster trust between AI agents
The standard is designed to address a growing problem in the field of AI. Traditional trust models begin to fail as AI programs begin to manage value, exchange data, and make decisions on their own.
ERC-8004 treats the blockchain as a neutral reference point, while most off-chain calculations and interactions keep costs manageable.
ERC-8004 will be available on mainnet soon.
By enabling reputation discovery and portability, ERC-8004 enables AI agents to interact within organizations, ensuring credibility flows everywhere.
This paves the way for a global market where AI services can interact without gatekeepers.
– Ethereum (@ethereum) January 27, 2026
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Under ERC-8004, on-chain ledgers are introduced to give each agent a portable identity. Over time, these registries are used to record reputation and allow independent verification when more sensitive interactions are involved.
Instead of being limited to a single application or business, this configuration makes it possible to credibly track an agent wherever they operate. According to Ethereum developers, this design allows AI agents to maintain verifiable identities and histories while cooperating, trading, and providing services across ecosystems.
It also builds on existing agent communication standards by adding a blockchain-based layer for trust and accountability.
Why timing matters
ERC-8004 comes at a time when AI agents are moving from experimentation to real-world use. By 2026, many systems are expected to handle payments, data access and automated decision-making. Existing trust models were designed for humans, not machines operating at scale.
Developers involved in the proposal say the standard helps fill this gap by transforming Ethereum into a neutral trust layer for AI coordination. ERC-8004 was first submitted in August 2025 and demonstrated in October by contributors linked to the Ethereum Foundation and other ecosystem partners.
If the mainnet launch goes ahead this week, the standard could expand Ethereum’s role in finance and AI infrastructure. The timeline also aligns with upcoming Ethereum upgrades planned for 2026, as the network continues to balance new use cases with scalability and security challenges.
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