Coinbase has unveiled x402, a groundbreaking protocol that activates the long-dormant HTTP 402 ‘Payment Required’ status code, transforming it into a real-time digital payment layer. This innovation allows any server to request payment and any client—whether human or AI agent—to respond using stablecoins like USDC.
Built for the internet age, x402 addresses the limitations of traditional payment systems such as credit cards, bank transfers, and subscriptions, which were designed for a pre-digital world. These legacy systems often involve manual steps, creating friction for AI agents that need to operate independently.
“By enabling API and context providers to monetize without requiring human-in-the-loop configuration, x402 removes a key bottleneck to agentic autonomy,” Coinbase stated. Agents can now pay per API call autonomously, eliminating the need for managing payments across integrations.
Erik Reppel, Head of Engineering at Coinbase Developer Platform, emphasized, “We’re laying the groundwork for an economy run not just by people, but by software — autonomous, intelligent, and always on.”
Coinbase joins a growing list of major players—Visa, Stripe, Mastercard, and PayPal—who are also exploring autonomous payment infrastructure in response to the rise of AI-driven commerce.