Coinbase has introduced the x402 payments protocol, which enables instant stablecoin transfers using the internet's standard HTTP communication protocol. Launched on May 6, this protocol aims to allow seamless transactions for APIs, apps, and AI agents, enhancing the automation of the internet economy. By resurrecting the HTTP 402 'Payment Required' status code, x402 seeks to address inefficiencies of traditional payment methods, which are often slow and require manual intervention. The protocol is designed to empower AI agents to conduct transactions independently, removing the need for human oversight. This development supports real-time provisioning of resources and micropayments for data, and potentially transforms AI agents into autonomous economic entities capable of making decisions based on their operational needs. Coinbase partnered with AWS, Circle, Anthropic, and other entities to launch this initiative, aiming to facilitate new monetization strategies and improve interactions between users and digital services.

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