Coinbase Unveils x402 for Agent Payments with USDC

Coinbase has rolled out a new feature called x402 that enables businesses to accept payments from artificial intelligence (AI) agents using USDC, a stablecoin. This means that AI bots can now make purchases on behalf of their users, and the payment happens in USDC.

The x402 protocol provides an 'agent-friendly checkout flow' for businesses, as described by Sid Coelho-Prabhu, Head of Coinbase Business. This allows companies to easily list items online and let AI agents handle the shopping process.

In addition to payments, Coinbase has also added tools to facilitate agent-driven crypto trading. These include live order lists showing what AI agents are up to, as well as commands that can be set up for specific actions, such as buying Ethereum if its price dips by 5%.