The Agentic Economics Initiative is committed to rigorous research and open knowledge sharing. This section showcases our working papers, technical reports, and open-source tools that advance the field of autonomous agent economics.

2025

“Foundations of Agentic Economics: A Theoretical Framework for Autonomous Agent Markets”

  • Abstract: This paper introduces the foundational concepts of agentic economics, including the four axioms (Agency, Autonomy, Accountability, Alignment) and the A-FCF (Agentic Free Cash Flow) metric. We propose a comprehensive framework for understanding autonomous agents as economic actors and establish theoretical foundations for agent-based financial systems.
  • Status: Under review at Journal of Economic Theory
  • Keywords: Autonomous agents, economic theory, financial systems, AI economics

“Agentic Value Tokens: A New Asset Class for the Digital Economy”

  • Abstract: This research report introduces Agentic Value Tokens (AVT) as a new type of financial instrument designed to capitalize the economic output of autonomous AI agents. The paper constructs a theoretical framework for AVT from first principles, including accounting standards for reimagining agents as auditable economic entities (Agentic Firm) with A-GAAP and Agentic Free Cash Flow (A-FCF) metrics, as well as incentive-compatible mechanism design (such as staking/slashing and governance alignment). We develop comprehensive valuation models, extending from deterministic discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis to stochastic processes and real options pricing, incorporating technology, operational, market, and regulatory risk premia. The report also explores market microstructure, liquidity engineering, and risk management strategies to ensure agent safety in decentralized environments. Infrastructure chapters detail sovereign identity (DID/VCs), key management (MPC/threshold signatures), account abstraction (ERC-4337), and zero-knowledge proof (ZK) integration for verifiable privacy and cross-chain interoperability. Case studies cover DeFi asset management agents, social creator economies, and platform ecosystems, demonstrating AVT’s practical deployment and revenue distribution. Looking ahead to 2026–2035, AVT is projected to drive a trillion-dollar machine economy, reshaping labor, capital, and industrial organization. This book provides a comprehensive guide for technology, finance, and policy professionals to build and invest in autonomous agents.
  • Status: Published (2025-10-02)
  • Keywords: Tokenization, asset pricing, decentralized finance, machine economy, autonomous agents, A-GAAP, mechanism design, zero-knowledge proofs

“A-GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Autonomous Agents” (Technical Report)

  • Abstract: This technical report outlines standardized accounting practices for autonomous agents, including real-time transaction recording, cryptographic verification, and cross-agent reconciliation protocols.
  • Status: Public draft available
  • Keywords: Accounting standards, financial reporting, autonomous systems

Research Areas

1. Theoretical Foundations

Economic Theory of Autonomous Systems

  • Game-theoretic models of multi-agent interactions
  • Mechanism design for optimal agent incentives
  • Information economics in agent networks
  • Welfare analysis of agent-mediated markets

Financial Economics

  • Valuation models for autonomous agents
  • Risk assessment and management frameworks
  • Capital structure optimization for agent systems
  • Market microstructure of AVT trading

2. Applied Research

Implementation Studies

  • Case studies of real-world deployments
  • Performance benchmarking methodologies
  • Comparative analysis across different agent types
  • Integration with existing financial systems

Technical Infrastructure

  • Decentralized identity systems for agents
  • High-frequency micropayment protocols
  • Smart contract frameworks for agent operations
  • Privacy-preserving audit mechanisms

3. Policy & Regulation

Regulatory Frameworks

  • Compliance requirements for autonomous agents
  • Tax implications of agent activities
  • Consumer protection in agent-mediated transactions
  • International coordination of agent regulation

Social Impact

  • Employment effects of agentic economies
  • Wealth distribution implications
  • Environmental sustainability considerations
  • Ethical frameworks for agent behavior

Ongoing Research Projects

Project Alpha: “Agent Market Dynamics”

Objective: Develop empirical models of AVT price discovery and market efficiency

Research Questions:

  • How do AVT markets differ from traditional asset markets?
  • What factors drive agent valuations and price volatility?
  • How can market structure for agent tokens be optimized?

Methodology:

  • Agent-based simulations of token markets
  • Real trading data analysis from pilot implementations
  • Laboratory experiments with human traders

Project Beta: “Autonomous Agent Risk Assessment”

Objective: Create standardized risk models for agent investments

Research Questions:

  • What are the primary risk factors for autonomous agents?
  • How should traditional risk models be adapted for agent assets?
  • What new risk metrics are needed for agent portfolios?

Methodology:

  • Historical analysis of agent failures and recovery
  • Development of agent-specific risk factors
  • Backtesting risk models on simulated portfolios

Project Gamma: “Agentic Economics Regulatory Sandbox”

Objective: Develop policy recommendations for agent regulation

Research Questions:

  • How do existing financial regulations apply to agents?
  • What new regulatory frameworks are needed?
  • How can regulators monitor and audit agent activities?

Methodology:

  • Regulatory impact analysis
  • Stakeholder consultations and feedback
  • Pilot projects with regulatory bodies

Research Collaborations

Academic Partners

MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)

  • Joint research on agent identity and security
  • Student exchange programs
  • Shared datasets and computational resources

Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI)

  • Collaborative work on AI safety and alignment
  • Ethical review of agentic economic impacts
  • Policy research and recommendations

London School of Economics (LSE)

  • Economic modeling and empirical analysis
  • Financial markets research
  • Regulatory economics collaboration

Industry Partners

Technology Companies

  • Access to real-world agent deployments
  • Data sharing agreements
  • Beta testing of research prototypes

Financial Institutions

  • Funding for research projects
  • Risk modeling and valuation expertise
  • Regulatory compliance guidance

Consulting Firms

  • Implementation support for research findings
  • Industry case studies and best practices
  • Market analysis and competitive intelligence

Research Resources

Datasets

Agentic Economics Database (AED)

  • Comprehensive dataset of agent performance metrics
  • Historical A-FCF data for 500+ agents
  • Market data for AVT trading
  • Access: Available to researchers upon application

Agent Transaction Records (ATR)

  • Anonymized transaction data from pilot projects
  • Multi-modal agent interactions
  • Cross-platform compatibility studies
  • Access: Academic license required

Tools & Software

AgenticSim: Agent-based economic simulation platform

  • Open-source simulation environment
  • Customizable agent behaviors and market dynamics
  • Integration with popular research tools
  • Demo: username/pass: alice@logistics.com/helloAgFi

A-FCF Calculator: Standardized cash flow analysis tool

  • Web-based A-FCF computation tool
  • Scenario analysis and sensitivity testing
  • Export functionality for further analysis
  • Access: Coming soon as open source

Conferences & Events

Annual Agentic Economics Conference (2025)

Theme: Building Foundational Theory for the Agent Economy

Key Topics:

  • AVT market design and implementation
  • Regulatory framework development
  • Cross-industry application case studies
  • Ethics and social impact