Agent Payments Protocol (AP2)
Agentic AIUpdated: October 12, 2025
Also known as: AP2, Agent Payments
Lets AI agents send/receive payments autonomously in stablecoins
The Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) is a communication and settlement framework that enables AI agents to autonomously send and receive payments, typically using stablecoins or other digital assets.
Unlike traditional payment systems that require human authorization at every step, AP2 allows autonomous systems to handle financial transactions based on pre-programmed rules, smart contracts, or machine learning decisions.
Key Characteristics
- Autonomy: Agents operate without requiring human approval for each transaction
- Stablecoin Settlement: Typically uses stablecoins to avoid volatility
- Programmatic Control: Payment logic is defined in code, not manual processes
- Machine-Readable: Built for system-to-system communication, not human interfaces
Use Cases
- Autonomous API payments
- Machine-to-machine service billing
- Real-time micropayments between AI services
- Automated treasury management
Technical Foundation
AP2 typically builds on existing blockchain infrastructure, smart contract platforms, and authentication layers to create a secure, automated payment rail for artificial intelligence systems.