Coinbase debuts x402 for instant crypto transactions
Coinbase x402 powers API monetization
Coinbase, the largest centralized cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, has announced the launch of a new payment protocol called x402, which enables instant stablecoin transactions directly over HTTP.
This initiative marks a major step forward toward a programmable, automated digital economy where payments flow as seamlessly as data.
The x402 protocol revives the previously unused HTTP status code 402 “Payment Required”, turning it into a native mechanism for embedding stablecoin payments within web interactions. With this innovation, developers, applications, and AI agents can instantly pay for access to APIs, software, and digital services using stablecoins like USDC—without the need for complex authentication processes or crypto wallets.
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Solving a long-standing problem with internet payments
Traditional payment systems, including bank transfers and credit cards, were never designed for the real-time, global nature of the web. They are slow, expensive, and often require manual intervention. Even crypto payments frequently face hurdles such as complicated interfaces and wallet management.
x402 addresses these challenges by offering native, programmable payments that integrate directly into the internet’s infrastructure.
Erik Reppel, Head of Engineering at the Coinbase Developer Platform and co-author of the x402 whitepaper, highlighted the transformational potential of this technology:
“Just like HTTPS secured the internet, x402 could define the next era—where value moves as freely and instantly as information.”
A collaborative ecosystem and real-world applications
Coinbase is launching x402 in collaboration with companies like Circle, NEAR, Anthropic, and AWS. These partners are already integrating the protocol into their products—from AI agents paying for real-time data to autonomous software acquiring compute resources.
Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR, envisions a future where agents can independently purchase goods and access services via blockchain without human involvement—making commerce fully automated.
For developers, x402 offers tools like the Coinbase x402 Facilitator, allowing seamless payment integration into existing applications with minimal code. This opens the door to API monetization, dynamic pay-per-use models, and AI-driven autonomous platforms.
It’s worth noting that Coinbase recently deepened its partnership with PayPal — a bold move aimed at accelerating crypto adoption across the mainstream financial landscape.
