Google has launched the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), an open-source standard designed to enable artificial intelligence (AI) agents to securely conduct financial transactions on behalf of users.
Developed with input from more than 60 firms including Coinbase, Mastercard, PayPal, and the Ethereum Foundation, the protocol introduces “Mandates,” cryptographically signed digital contracts that verify user consent for payments.
AP2 supports multiple payment methods, from cards and bank transfers to stablecoins, and integrates A2A x402, a crypto-native extension built with Coinbase and Ethereum developers. This ensures AI-driven systems can execute payments reliably and securely.
Industry leaders welcomed the initiative. Mastercard CEO Pablo Fourez said it will help “shape the future of agentic commerce,” while PayPal’s AI head Prakhar Mehrotra called AP2 a “critical foundation for trusted agent payments.”
With stablecoin circulation at $289 billion, the protocol could accelerate the rise of autonomous financial systems, laying the groundwork for AI-powered commerce and subscription models in Web3.
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