What is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses

What is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses

What is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses

Learn how AI assistants like ChatGPT are changing how people buy, what it means for your business, and how Mollie is preparing European businesses for the future of payments.

Learn how AI assistants like ChatGPT are changing how people buy, what it means for your business, and how Mollie is preparing European businesses for the future of payments.

10 oct. 2025

You’ve spent years optimising your website, perfecting your checkout flow, and building your brand. But what if your next customer never visits your site? A new way of buying is here, and it doesn’t end with a shopping cart, but starts with a conversation.

This is agentic commerce: selling through AI assistants instead of websites. And it signals a fairly fundamental shift in how people can buy online, creating a direct journey from intent > purchase.

There’s lots of talk about AI, but this guide cuts through the hype, explaining what agentic AI actually is, what’s actually happening, and how you can prepare your European business to be ready for it. 

You’ve spent years optimising your website, perfecting your checkout flow, and building your brand. But what if your next customer never visits your site? A new way of buying is here, and it doesn’t end with a shopping cart, but starts with a conversation.

This is agentic commerce: selling through AI assistants instead of websites. And it signals a fairly fundamental shift in how people can buy online, creating a direct journey from intent > purchase.

There’s lots of talk about AI, but this guide cuts through the hype, explaining what agentic AI actually is, what’s actually happening, and how you can prepare your European business to be ready for it. 

You’ve spent years optimising your website, perfecting your checkout flow, and building your brand. But what if your next customer never visits your site? A new way of buying is here, and it doesn’t end with a shopping cart, but starts with a conversation.

This is agentic commerce: selling through AI assistants instead of websites. And it signals a fairly fundamental shift in how people can buy online, creating a direct journey from intent > purchase.

There’s lots of talk about AI, but this guide cuts through the hype, explaining what agentic AI actually is, what’s actually happening, and how you can prepare your European business to be ready for it. 

You’ve spent years optimising your website, perfecting your checkout flow, and building your brand. But what if your next customer never visits your site? A new way of buying is here, and it doesn’t end with a shopping cart, but starts with a conversation.

This is agentic commerce: selling through AI assistants instead of websites. And it signals a fairly fundamental shift in how people can buy online, creating a direct journey from intent > purchase.

There’s lots of talk about AI, but this guide cuts through the hype, explaining what agentic AI actually is, what’s actually happening, and how you can prepare your European business to be ready for it. 

How agentic commerce works

The agentic commerce process is a secure, multi-step transaction that happens in seconds. Here’s a simplified look at the mechanics behind an AI shopping purchase:

  1. The user makes a request: The user asks their AI shopping assistant to find and buy a product.

  2. The AI finds the product: The AI consults the product and inventory data provided by businesses. This is often managed through a product feed from their ecommerce platform or a direct API integration.

  3. The user authorises the purchase: Based on the options presented, the user gives the AI permission to buy a specific item. This requires a final confirmation from the user before payment is made.

  4. The AI requests a payment token: With the user's approval, the AI asks the payment provider (like Mollie) for a secure, single-use digital key for that specific transaction.

  5. The payment provider issues the token: The provider generates a unique token that is locked to a specific business and a maximum amount.

  6. The AI completes the purchase: The AI sends this secure token to the business's checkout system, which uses it to process the AI payment through their provider. 

The agentic commerce process is a secure, multi-step transaction that happens in seconds. Here’s a simplified look at the mechanics behind an AI shopping purchase:

  1. The user makes a request: The user asks their AI shopping assistant to find and buy a product.

  2. The AI finds the product: The AI consults the product and inventory data provided by businesses. This is often managed through a product feed from their ecommerce platform or a direct API integration.

  3. The user authorises the purchase: Based on the options presented, the user gives the AI permission to buy a specific item. This requires a final confirmation from the user before payment is made.

  4. The AI requests a payment token: With the user's approval, the AI asks the payment provider (like Mollie) for a secure, single-use digital key for that specific transaction.

  5. The payment provider issues the token: The provider generates a unique token that is locked to a specific business and a maximum amount.

  6. The AI completes the purchase: The AI sends this secure token to the business's checkout system, which uses it to process the AI payment through their provider. 

The agentic commerce process is a secure, multi-step transaction that happens in seconds. Here’s a simplified look at the mechanics behind an AI shopping purchase:

  1. The user makes a request: The user asks their AI shopping assistant to find and buy a product.

  2. The AI finds the product: The AI consults the product and inventory data provided by businesses. This is often managed through a product feed from their ecommerce platform or a direct API integration.

  3. The user authorises the purchase: Based on the options presented, the user gives the AI permission to buy a specific item. This requires a final confirmation from the user before payment is made.

  4. The AI requests a payment token: With the user's approval, the AI asks the payment provider (like Mollie) for a secure, single-use digital key for that specific transaction.

  5. The payment provider issues the token: The provider generates a unique token that is locked to a specific business and a maximum amount.

  6. The AI completes the purchase: The AI sends this secure token to the business's checkout system, which uses it to process the AI payment through their provider. 

The agentic commerce process is a secure, multi-step transaction that happens in seconds. Here’s a simplified look at the mechanics behind an AI shopping purchase:

  1. The user makes a request: The user asks their AI shopping assistant to find and buy a product.

  2. The AI finds the product: The AI consults the product and inventory data provided by businesses. This is often managed through a product feed from their ecommerce platform or a direct API integration.

  3. The user authorises the purchase: Based on the options presented, the user gives the AI permission to buy a specific item. This requires a final confirmation from the user before payment is made.

  4. The AI requests a payment token: With the user's approval, the AI asks the payment provider (like Mollie) for a secure, single-use digital key for that specific transaction.

  5. The payment provider issues the token: The provider generates a unique token that is locked to a specific business and a maximum amount.

  6. The AI completes the purchase: The AI sends this secure token to the business's checkout system, which uses it to process the AI payment through their provider. 

Agentic commerce: From conversation to checkout

Major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, are already turning conversations into sales. To make that happen securely, new technical standards are being built that act as a secure digital bridge between your business, your payment provider, and AI platforms.

Our job is to ensure you’re ready for what’s next. To do that, we’re already implementing support for the first live standard – the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) – which powers sales on ChatGPT today.

As this new world of commerce evolves, think of Mollie as your universal adapter. When new protocols emerge, such as the upcoming Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) from Google and its partners, instead of you having to manage each new connection, we'll do it for you. You get one partner, one integration, and access to every new channel that matters.

"If you want to use agentic commerce, you shouldn't have to worry about protocols but should just know you can make a sale securely," explains Bernardo Caldas, Mollie’s Director of Data & AI. "Our role is to be the trusted partner that helps you do that. One that handles the underlying complexity of any standard – whether it's ACP or others – so you can focus on your business."

This is the start of a new era in conversational sales. It’s a chance to connect with your customers in a simpler, more direct way and build a buying experience that feels truly personal.

Major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, are already turning conversations into sales. To make that happen securely, new technical standards are being built that act as a secure digital bridge between your business, your payment provider, and AI platforms.

Our job is to ensure you’re ready for what’s next. To do that, we’re already implementing support for the first live standard – the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) – which powers sales on ChatGPT today.

As this new world of commerce evolves, think of Mollie as your universal adapter. When new protocols emerge, such as the upcoming Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) from Google and its partners, instead of you having to manage each new connection, we'll do it for you. You get one partner, one integration, and access to every new channel that matters.

"If you want to use agentic commerce, you shouldn't have to worry about protocols but should just know you can make a sale securely," explains Bernardo Caldas, Mollie’s Director of Data & AI. "Our role is to be the trusted partner that helps you do that. One that handles the underlying complexity of any standard – whether it's ACP or others – so you can focus on your business."

This is the start of a new era in conversational sales. It’s a chance to connect with your customers in a simpler, more direct way and build a buying experience that feels truly personal.

Major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, are already turning conversations into sales. To make that happen securely, new technical standards are being built that act as a secure digital bridge between your business, your payment provider, and AI platforms.

Our job is to ensure you’re ready for what’s next. To do that, we’re already implementing support for the first live standard – the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) – which powers sales on ChatGPT today.

As this new world of commerce evolves, think of Mollie as your universal adapter. When new protocols emerge, such as the upcoming Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) from Google and its partners, instead of you having to manage each new connection, we'll do it for you. You get one partner, one integration, and access to every new channel that matters.

"If you want to use agentic commerce, you shouldn't have to worry about protocols but should just know you can make a sale securely," explains Bernardo Caldas, Mollie’s Director of Data & AI. "Our role is to be the trusted partner that helps you do that. One that handles the underlying complexity of any standard – whether it's ACP or others – so you can focus on your business."

This is the start of a new era in conversational sales. It’s a chance to connect with your customers in a simpler, more direct way and build a buying experience that feels truly personal.

Major AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, are already turning conversations into sales. To make that happen securely, new technical standards are being built that act as a secure digital bridge between your business, your payment provider, and AI platforms.

Our job is to ensure you’re ready for what’s next. To do that, we’re already implementing support for the first live standard – the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) – which powers sales on ChatGPT today.

As this new world of commerce evolves, think of Mollie as your universal adapter. When new protocols emerge, such as the upcoming Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) from Google and its partners, instead of you having to manage each new connection, we'll do it for you. You get one partner, one integration, and access to every new channel that matters.

"If you want to use agentic commerce, you shouldn't have to worry about protocols but should just know you can make a sale securely," explains Bernardo Caldas, Mollie’s Director of Data & AI. "Our role is to be the trusted partner that helps you do that. One that handles the underlying complexity of any standard – whether it's ACP or others – so you can focus on your business."

This is the start of a new era in conversational sales. It’s a chance to connect with your customers in a simpler, more direct way and build a buying experience that feels truly personal.

Preparing your business for AI payments

Operating at the critical intersection of commerce – connecting buyers, businesses, and payment systems across Europe – has always been our focus. For us, agentic commerce is a powerful new way to fulfill our mission: helping your business succeed.

Put simply: Our job is to make the world of AI payments and this new frontier as simple, fast, and secure as possible for your business. 

We’re already implementing support for the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), handling the complex technical work so you get easy access to a faster sales channel. You focus on your business, we’ll handle how it gets paid –  now and in the future.

"The principles of great payments are trust, speed, and simplicity," says Bernardo. "Our work on ACP is about extending all three into the new realm of AI-driven commerce, ensuring every transaction is secure, effortless, and fast, no matter where it begins."

Operating at the critical intersection of commerce – connecting buyers, businesses, and payment systems across Europe – has always been our focus. For us, agentic commerce is a powerful new way to fulfill our mission: helping your business succeed.

Put simply: Our job is to make the world of AI payments and this new frontier as simple, fast, and secure as possible for your business. 

We’re already implementing support for the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), handling the complex technical work so you get easy access to a faster sales channel. You focus on your business, we’ll handle how it gets paid –  now and in the future.

"The principles of great payments are trust, speed, and simplicity," says Bernardo. "Our work on ACP is about extending all three into the new realm of AI-driven commerce, ensuring every transaction is secure, effortless, and fast, no matter where it begins."

Operating at the critical intersection of commerce – connecting buyers, businesses, and payment systems across Europe – has always been our focus. For us, agentic commerce is a powerful new way to fulfill our mission: helping your business succeed.

Put simply: Our job is to make the world of AI payments and this new frontier as simple, fast, and secure as possible for your business. 

We’re already implementing support for the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), handling the complex technical work so you get easy access to a faster sales channel. You focus on your business, we’ll handle how it gets paid –  now and in the future.

"The principles of great payments are trust, speed, and simplicity," says Bernardo. "Our work on ACP is about extending all three into the new realm of AI-driven commerce, ensuring every transaction is secure, effortless, and fast, no matter where it begins."

Operating at the critical intersection of commerce – connecting buyers, businesses, and payment systems across Europe – has always been our focus. For us, agentic commerce is a powerful new way to fulfill our mission: helping your business succeed.

Put simply: Our job is to make the world of AI payments and this new frontier as simple, fast, and secure as possible for your business. 

We’re already implementing support for the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), handling the complex technical work so you get easy access to a faster sales channel. You focus on your business, we’ll handle how it gets paid –  now and in the future.

"The principles of great payments are trust, speed, and simplicity," says Bernardo. "Our work on ACP is about extending all three into the new realm of AI-driven commerce, ensuring every transaction is secure, effortless, and fast, no matter where it begins."

The European Advantage: Why local payments are key

Being ready for today is just the beginning. The real question is: how will agentic commerce work for Europe?

The current version of the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) is built on a global, card-centric model. While this is a crucial first step, European businesses know it's only part of the story. And real European growth depends on offering trusted local payment methods, such as iDEAL, Bancontact, BLIK, or Przelewy24.

We’re committed to extending agentic commerce to support the payment methods your customers actually use and prefer. And for European businesses working with a European partner, the ability to offer local payments in this new channel will be a significant competitive advantage.

"In time, we'll see agentic commerce evolve from a novelty to a meaningful revenue stream," Bernardo says. "The winners will be those who treat it like any other sales channel – one that needs to be optimised for specific customers. For European businesses, that means offering local payment methods within a conversation. The future isn't just about 'can an AI make a sale?', it's about 'can it make the sale in the way my customer prefers?'"

Being ready for today is just the beginning. The real question is: how will agentic commerce work for Europe?

The current version of the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) is built on a global, card-centric model. While this is a crucial first step, European businesses know it's only part of the story. And real European growth depends on offering trusted local payment methods, such as iDEAL, Bancontact, BLIK, or Przelewy24.

We’re committed to extending agentic commerce to support the payment methods your customers actually use and prefer. And for European businesses working with a European partner, the ability to offer local payments in this new channel will be a significant competitive advantage.

"In time, we'll see agentic commerce evolve from a novelty to a meaningful revenue stream," Bernardo says. "The winners will be those who treat it like any other sales channel – one that needs to be optimised for specific customers. For European businesses, that means offering local payment methods within a conversation. The future isn't just about 'can an AI make a sale?', it's about 'can it make the sale in the way my customer prefers?'"

Being ready for today is just the beginning. The real question is: how will agentic commerce work for Europe?

The current version of the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) is built on a global, card-centric model. While this is a crucial first step, European businesses know it's only part of the story. And real European growth depends on offering trusted local payment methods, such as iDEAL, Bancontact, BLIK, or Przelewy24.

We’re committed to extending agentic commerce to support the payment methods your customers actually use and prefer. And for European businesses working with a European partner, the ability to offer local payments in this new channel will be a significant competitive advantage.

"In time, we'll see agentic commerce evolve from a novelty to a meaningful revenue stream," Bernardo says. "The winners will be those who treat it like any other sales channel – one that needs to be optimised for specific customers. For European businesses, that means offering local payment methods within a conversation. The future isn't just about 'can an AI make a sale?', it's about 'can it make the sale in the way my customer prefers?'"

Being ready for today is just the beginning. The real question is: how will agentic commerce work for Europe?

The current version of the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) is built on a global, card-centric model. While this is a crucial first step, European businesses know it's only part of the story. And real European growth depends on offering trusted local payment methods, such as iDEAL, Bancontact, BLIK, or Przelewy24.

We’re committed to extending agentic commerce to support the payment methods your customers actually use and prefer. And for European businesses working with a European partner, the ability to offer local payments in this new channel will be a significant competitive advantage.

"In time, we'll see agentic commerce evolve from a novelty to a meaningful revenue stream," Bernardo says. "The winners will be those who treat it like any other sales channel – one that needs to be optimised for specific customers. For European businesses, that means offering local payment methods within a conversation. The future isn't just about 'can an AI make a sale?', it's about 'can it make the sale in the way my customer prefers?'"

How to offer Agentic Commerce

For over 20 years, we’ve served only businesses, applying our European expertise to cut friction from payments and money management. That commitment is why we’ve already put AI to work helping our users understand their customers – and it’s what drives us to keep launching new products and services. 

While others get lost in the AI hype, we’re here to power what makes Agentic Commerce possible: getting paid. 

Our platform provides the simple and secure foundation you need to master today's complex payments and seize tomorrow’s opportunities, whether they’re related to agentic commerce or anything else.

Want to see how we can help your business?

Explore online payments with Mollie.

For over 20 years, we’ve served only businesses, applying our European expertise to cut friction from payments and money management. That commitment is why we’ve already put AI to work helping our users understand their customers – and it’s what drives us to keep launching new products and services. 

While others get lost in the AI hype, we’re here to power what makes Agentic Commerce possible: getting paid. 

Our platform provides the simple and secure foundation you need to master today's complex payments and seize tomorrow’s opportunities, whether they’re related to agentic commerce or anything else.

Want to see how we can help your business?

Explore online payments with Mollie.

For over 20 years, we’ve served only businesses, applying our European expertise to cut friction from payments and money management. That commitment is why we’ve already put AI to work helping our users understand their customers – and it’s what drives us to keep launching new products and services. 

While others get lost in the AI hype, we’re here to power what makes Agentic Commerce possible: getting paid. 

Our platform provides the simple and secure foundation you need to master today's complex payments and seize tomorrow’s opportunities, whether they’re related to agentic commerce or anything else.

Want to see how we can help your business?

Explore online payments with Mollie.

For over 20 years, we’ve served only businesses, applying our European expertise to cut friction from payments and money management. That commitment is why we’ve already put AI to work helping our users understand their customers – and it’s what drives us to keep launching new products and services. 

While others get lost in the AI hype, we’re here to power what makes Agentic Commerce possible: getting paid. 

Our platform provides the simple and secure foundation you need to master today's complex payments and seize tomorrow’s opportunities, whether they’re related to agentic commerce or anything else.

Want to see how we can help your business?

Explore online payments with Mollie.

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MolliePerspectivesWhat is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses
MolliePerspectivesWhat is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses
MolliePerspectivesWhat is agentic commerce? A guide for European businesses