Mastercard has launched early access to its AI agent payment system, Agent Pay for Machines, following successful pilots with Coinbase, Base, and Cloudflare. The system allows developers to test buyer- and seller-side APIs, a developer toolkit, and a sandbox environment. Mastercard first announced the project in June, integrating spending controls with card, bank account, and stablecoin payments.
During a demonstration at Cloudflare Connect, an AI agent managed by marketing agency Hype prepared a campaign for a protein bar launch. The agent purchased social media research from AIsa and ordered campaign images from Cloudflare AI Gateway, completing nine payments across the two providers within an approved budget.
Coinbase’s x402 protocol facilitated crypto payments, enabling automatic transactions without human intervention. Coinbase provided the digital wallet, while Base, Coinbase’s blockchain, handled fund transfers. BVNK, a stablecoin payments company acquired by Mastercard in August, managed the agent’s wallet and processed payments through Mastercard’s network, allowing sellers to choose their preferred payment method.
Mastercard shares rose nearly 1% to $621 on Monday, testing resistance near $624 to $625 after an October rally. The stock trades above all four major EMAs, supporting the current uptrend. Key levels include a next target of $640 if resistance breaks and a support zone between $596 and $590.