Block Brings Bitcoin Lightning Network to x402 AI Payments Protocol

Block, the fintech company led by Jack Dorsey, is integrating the Bitcoin Lightning Network into its AI agent payments protocol x402.

The addition of the Lightning Network to x402 is aimed at expanding Bitcoin's role in environments where AI agents process large volumes of micropayments.

x402 is an open payment standard designed to let AI agents and web services autonomously pay for API access, data, and digital services without separate manual payment steps.

According to Steve Lee, head of Spiral, Block's Bitcoin development initiative, bringing the Lightning Network to x402 is 'a concrete step' toward making Bitcoin a currency used in everyday transactions by both people and AI agents.