Stripe launches x402 for AI-powered payments on Base

Stripe’s x402 protocol on Base lets AI agents pay autonomously with USDC, enabling secure, real-time machine-to-machine transactions and streamlining enterprise payments.

Stripe has introduced the x402 payment protocol on Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 blockchain. This innovation enables artificial intelligence agents to autonomously conduct payments and transactions using the USDC stablecoin. The protocol is specifically designed for machine-to-machine payments, allowing AI agents to pay for digital services, data access, and computing power without human involvement. Businesses can monitor and track these transactions in real time through Stripe’s dashboard, webhooks, or API. The system features secure communication channels, cryptographic verification, and assigns a unique deposit address for each transaction. Developers can easily integrate x402 using Stripe’s open-source CLI tool, “Purl,” which supports both Python and Node. This launch represents a significant step toward mainstream adoption of decentralized, automated payments. Stripe’s infrastructure also manages tax reporting, refunds, and compliance, providing a comprehensive solution for the emerging machine-to-machine economy.