Reid Hoffman Says AI Agent Identity Needs Could Revive NFTs

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman believes traditional usernames and passwords will no longer be sufficient to verify identity and authorization as autonomous AI agents increasingly browse websites, make purchases and process payments on behalf of humans. Blockchain-based credentials such as NFTs are verifiable and traceable, potentially making them a foundation for trust across the open web.

Speaking at Consensus 2025, held in Toronto, Canada, from May 14 to 16, 2025, Hoffman said the identity-verification demands created by AI agents could help NFTs move beyond digital collectibles and stage a comeback. He did not disclose any investment amount or implementation timeline, instead emphasizing the need for agents to verify their identities and permissions and transact securely.