Stripe has introduced a new payment system that allows artificial intelligence agents to pay for digital services on their own using cryptocurrency. The feature, called x402 payments, was revealed on February 11 by Stripe product manager Jeff Weinstein and is currently available in preview.
The system adds support for Base, an Ethereum-based blockchain network, and enables AI agents to make automatic payments using USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.
With this setup, developers can charge AI agents for things like API calls, data access, or computing power without relying on traditional subscriptions or manual billing. Instead of sending invoices or waiting for human approval, payments can happen instantly and automatically.
Weinstein explained that most existing payment systems were built for people, not software. AI agents, however, need payment methods that are fast, low-cost, and always available. They also need to work without any human involvement.
Here’s how it works. A business creates a standard Stripe Payment Intent. Stripe then generates a unique wallet address for that specific transaction. When an AI agent sends USDC to that address on the Base network, the payment can be tracked in real time through Stripe’s dashboard, webhooks, or API.
Once the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, the funds are added to the merchant’s Stripe balance, just like any other payment. Stripe’s existing tools still handle things like tax reporting, refunds, and compliance.
The system runs on x402, an open protocol inspired by the old HTTP “402 Payment Required” status code. If an AI agent tries to access a paid service, it receives a payment request. After it sends USDC on Base, access is automatically granted.
Because Base offers fast settlement times and low transaction fees, payments can be completed within seconds. This makes the system especially useful for small, frequent transactions, such as paying per request, per second, or per minute of usage.
To support developers, Stripe has also released an open-source command-line tool called “purl,” along with example code in Python and Node.js. This allows teams to test and build machine-to-machine payment systems more easily.
The launch highlights Stripe’s broader push into what it calls the “agent economy.” In this model, software programs operate independently and manage their own budgets. These AI agents could eventually buy data, computing resources, or digital services without needing a person to approve every step.
For now, the system supports USDC on Base, chosen for its price stability and predictable costs. Stripe says it plans to add more protocols, currencies, and blockchain networks in the future.
Many industry observers see this as another clear sign that artificial intelligence, financial technology, and blockchain are starting to merge. Instead of charging users monthly or selling prepaid credits, companies can now price services by the action, the second, or the request. And AI agents can pay instantly, on their own.
