Stripe Launches Payments for AI Agents Using USDC and x402 Protocol

Stripe has introduced a preview of its "machine payments" function, enabling developers to charge AI agents using USDC on the Base network via the x402 protocol. This innovation marks a new frontier for autonomous agents, allowing direct payment integration with minimal coding.

"Autonomous agents are an entirely new category of users to build for, and, increasingly, to sell to. We’re launching a way for developers to directly charge agents with just a few lines of code." — Jeff Weinstein, Product Manager at Stripe

The new system utilizes Stripe’s PaymentIntents API, which facilitates programmatic billing for services such as HTTP requests or API calls. It leverages the open x402 standard developed by Coinbase, using the previously unused HTTP status code 402 to enable on-chain transactions.

Weinstein pointed out that traditional financial systems aren’t tailored for AI agents, who need support for microtransactions and instant payment finalization around the clock. The payment process is straightforward: developers create a PaymentIntent, Stripe generates a deposit address, and payment details are sent to the AI agent, which then tracks the transaction via Stripe’s API or dashboard.

Relatedly, Bloomberg reports that Stripe is considering a new tender offer that could elevate its valuation to $140 billion, a significant rise from last year's $107 billion. The company had previously secured $6.5 billion in a Series I funding round led by Thrive Capital.

CoinGecko Enhances API for Microtransactions

In parallel, CoinGecko has launched API endpoints compatible with the x402 protocol, transitioning to a pay-per-use model for their services. This allows autonomous agents to access extensive market data for only $0.01 USDC per request, eliminating the need for account registration or API keys.

The functionality supports queries for over 18,000 assets across various networks, enabling developers to build tools for autonomous trading and risk assessment. Transactions follow a "handshake" agreement where the server responds with payment instructions, allowing agents to access data instantly upon payment confirmation.