Block empowers AI payments with Bitcoin Lightning
6.7 Banking Block joined the x402 Foundation and integrated Bitcoin Lightning, enabling AI agents to make automated, low-cost payments. x402 processed 75M+ transactions in 30 days.
Block has joined the x402 Foundation and integrated Bitcoin Lightning Network support into the x402 open payment protocol. This enables AI agents and web services to make automated, low-cost, high-volume payments for APIs, data, and digital services. The integration was first revealed through a code commit on September 23 and officially announced on September 24. x402, originally created by Coinbase and now managed by the Linux Foundation, uses HTTP 402 responses to facilitate these payments. In the past 30 days, the x402 platform processed over 75 million transactions totaling more than $24 million. Other blockchain networks, including Cardano, Casper, and XRP Ledger, have also added support for the protocol. Block highlighted that Lightning is ideal for AI payment needs, offering instant settlement and scalability. The Lightning payment specification is now merged into the x402 repository, with further technical reviews and testing underway.
