Stripe Launches x402 Payments on Base, Charging AI Agents with USDC
Key Highlights AI agents can now make direct payments using USDC on Base, creating a new way for machines to transact. x402 payments let businesses track agent transactions and set agent-specific pricing...
Key Highlights
- AI agents can now make direct payments using USDC on Base, creating a new way for machines to transact.
- x402 payments let businesses track agent transactions and set agent-specific pricing alongside regular invoices.
- The growing x402 ecosystem shows security risks, especially with meme tokens and cross-chain projects.
Stripe, the payment processing platform, now lets AI agents pay directly using USDC on Base using x402 protocol. This new feature is designed for developers and businesses working with autonomous agents.
Stripe’s Product Lead Jeff Weinstein shared on X that this update allows agents to handle payments for APIs or services on their own, without needing humans to step in. As per his thread posts, the launch introduces a unique infrastructure for machine-level transactions.
— Jeff Weinstein (@jeff_weinstein) February 10, 2026We’re launching with support for x402 using USDC stablecoins on @base, with more protocols, payment methods, currencies, and chains to come. Let us know which to prioritize.
And sales tax, refunds, and reporting just work. (You only need to think about crypto if you want to!)
Developers can now integrate this system with a few lines of code, making the process seamless and automated. The new x402 payments system addresses a key limitation of traditional finance. Weinstein noted, “Agents need microtransactions, 24/7 global rails, controls, http native, low latency, finality guarantees. The current financial system is tuned for humans.”
Now, businesses can easily accept payments from AI agents using Stripe’s usual PaymentIntents system. They can even set special pricing just for agents while still managing regular subscriptions and invoices, making everything simple and flexible.
How machine payments work
It all starts by creating a PaymentIntent, and Stripe then gives a unique deposit address for each payment. Developers simply give this address to the AI agent and tell it to send the funds or a payment token. After that, you can keep track of the payment through the API, a webhook, or the Stripe Dashboard.
Once completed, the money lands in the merchant’s usual balance. Right now, this system works with x402 using USDC on Base, but Stripe plans to add more protocols, currencies, and chains. As Weinstein said, ‘Sales tax, refunds, and reporting just work. You only need to think about crypto if you want to!”
Historically, AI agents struggled to pay for services because they lacked “identity” or credit cards. By using stablecoins on a fast blockchain, Stripe has essentially given AI agents a “wallet” they can use to buy the tools they need to complete tasks autonomously.
Alongside x402 payments, Stripe released an open-source CLI called purl. This tool allows developers and their bots to test machine payments directly in the terminal. Node and Python sample scripts further ease adoption.
Weinstein explained, “Stripe is building economic infrastructure to help businesses thrive in the soon-future world where agents, humans, and business all transact. There’s billions of us but we expect trillions of agents.” This highlights the growing scale of autonomous agents and the increasing relevance of automated payment solutions.
Broader context and security concerns
Stripe’s push into stablecoin payments isn’t new. Since December, Stripe has allowed merchants to accept USDC on Ethereum, Base, and Polygon, converting payments to USD for settlement. The feature integrates seamlessly into Stripe’s Optimized Checkout Suite.
However, the rapidly expanding x402 ecosystem comes with some security risks. GoPlus Security looked at more than 30 x402 projects and found high-risk issues, particularly in meme-style tokens and cross-chain tools.
These projects also bring back the old HTTP 402 ‘Payment Required’ idea to make automated payments possible at the protocol level. Hence, while the technology is moving fast, staying cautious is still very important.
Also Read: Franklin Templeton Joins Binance For Institutional Crypto Trading
Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.
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