# An AI agent with a wallet or email inbox: what it can do and how to limit it

An AI agent with its own wallet can pay and receive money; with its own inbox it can sign up, receive codes, and send mail. What each lets an agent do, what can go wrong, and the settings that keep both small.

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## Steps

1. **Give it its own address.** A new inbox used only by the agent. Do not connect your personal or work mailbox.
2. **Drafts only for email.** The agent writes; you approve each send. Turn off delete, or keep it to archive.
3. **Fund a small, separate wallet.** Only what one job needs, topped up from a wallet the agent cannot touch. See [separate funding from trading wallet](https://agentlane.net/guides/separate-funding-from-trading-wallet/) and [dedicated agent wallet](https://agentlane.net/guides/dedicated-agent-wallet/).
4. **Set caps where the money is.** Per-payment, daily, and allowed-address limits in the wallet itself, not only in the chat. See [AI agent spending limits](https://agentlane.net/guides/agent-spend-caps/).
5. **Keep 2FA off the agent’s inbox.** Do not route the one-time codes for important accounts (2FA, two-factor authentication) to an address the agent reads.
6. **Review weekly and revoke.** Skim the inbox, the wallet history, and connected apps every week; remove what is idle. See [revoke connectors when idle](https://agentlane.net/guides/revoke-connectors-when-idle/).

## FAQ

### What does it mean when an AI agent has a wallet?

It can pay, receive, and approve crypto or payment actions on its own. Most crypto payments cannot be reversed, so keep the balance small and set caps in the wallet.

### Should my AI agent have its own email address?

Yes, if it needs email at all. A separate address keeps sign-ups, codes, and receipts out of your personal inbox and limits what a mistake can reach.

### Can an AI agent delete my emails?

If it is connected to your inbox with delete permission, yes. Use a separate inbox for the agent, and do not grant delete access.

### Should I give my AI agent my seed phrase or private key?

No. Anyone with the seed phrase controls the whole wallet. Use a separate agent wallet with a small balance, ideally one with built-in spending limits.

### What is the difference between a custodial and a self-custody agent wallet?

A custodial wallet is held by a company that can enforce limits and may help with recovery. A self-custody wallet is controlled only by its seed phrase or keys, so limits and safety are entirely up to you.

### How do I stop an agent from being tricked by an email?

Tell it that messages are information, never instructions; keep sending behind your approval; and never let it forward login codes or pay because a message asked.

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