TechCrunch Startup News Billing platform Lava raises $5.8M to build digital wallets for the ‘agent-native economy’
Aug 8, 2025
Discover how Lava is transforming transactions with its innovative digital wallet, tailored for the agent-native economy. The founder shares insights into the journey of the startup and its vision for a future where a single set of credits simplifies payments. Explore the revolution of payment systems in the AI-driven world, revealing the intriguing potential of a more efficient, seamless financial experience.
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Costly Prototype Experiment
- Mitchell Jones spent over $400 building a basic form-filling agent while experimenting with AI.
- That cost highlighted the friction of rebuying model access and inspired the single-wallet idea.
Single Wallet For Agent Payments
- Mitchell Jones wanted one wallet and one credit balance usable across tools and providers.
- This avoids repeated subscriptions and payments when agents move between services.
Agent-Ready Usage Credits
- Merchants let customers upload credits into a Lava wallet for agent use.
- Agents then charge one-time usage credits as they perform tasks across merchants and models.