Block Integrates Lightning Network into x402 Payment Protocol for AI Agents
Block, the company founded by Jack Dorsey, has integrated Bitcoin Lightning Network support into its x402 payment protocol. This will enable AI agents to make fast and low-cost payments without human intervention.
x402 allows software to pay for access to APIs, data, and other digital services. When an AI agent requests a paid resource, the server sends payment instructions, and the agent can automatically complete the transaction.
The company believes that the Lightning Network is well-suited for this use case due to its low fees and ability to process large numbers of small payments.
According to Steve Lee, head of Bitcoin development initiative Spiral, AI agents could eventually make billions of micropayments, a scenario traditional payment systems are less suited for.