x402 protocol

The x402 protocol activates the long-dormant HTTP 402 status code to enable instant, permissionless stablecoin payments directly within the web's communication layer.

Co-founded by Coinbase and Cloudflare, x402 is an open standard designed to solve the internet's lack of a native payment layer. By leveraging the HTTP 402 (Payment Required) status code, the protocol allows servers to request micropayments in USDC or other stablecoins as a prerequisite for fulfilling a request. This architecture eliminates the need for traditional API keys, credit card forms, or account sign-ups, enabling AI agents and web services to transact autonomously with sub-two-second settlement times. The protocol is chain-agnostic and currently processes millions of transactions across networks like Base and Solana, providing a scalable rail for the machine-to-machine economy.

https://x402.org