Mastercard launches AI agent payments with crypto partners
6.5 Banking Mastercard unveils Agent Pay for Machines, enabling AI agents to transact autonomously with stablecoins. RippleX, Coinbase, and 30+ partners join, using RLUSD and XRPL for settlement.
Mastercard has launched Agent Pay for Machines (AP4M), a new payment infrastructure designed for autonomous AI agents and machine-to-machine commerce. AP4M enables AI agents and software to transact continuously at high speeds, supporting microtransactions and programmable compliance. The system is built on credentialing, permissioning, transaction routing, and settlement, and supports multiple payment rails, including cards, accounts, and stablecoins. RippleX is a key partner, integrating the XRP Ledger and the regulated stablecoin RLUSD for on-chain settlement, though Mastercard’s pilot does not use the XRP token itself. Over 30 industry leaders, such as Coinbase, Stripe, Solana Foundation, OKX, and Polygon, are participating in the launch. This initiative marks a significant step in connecting traditional financial networks with digital assets, aiming to automate and streamline payments in the evolving digital economy.
