Visa, Mastercard, Ripple Back AI Agentic Payments Standard x402

The x402 protocol, originally developed by Coinbase and later handed over to a consortium of companies, has gained significant backing from major players like Visa, Mastercard, and Ripple. This protocol allows AI agents to execute payments using stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to traditional currencies.

In June 2026, x402 settled approximately $24 million across 75 million payments, demonstrating its growing use in the market. The protocol is now governed by a consortium of 40 companies, indicating strong industry support and collaboration.

For everyday users, this development means that AI agents could soon handle routine financial tasks, such as paying bills or making purchases, without human intervention. This could streamline transactions and reduce the need for manual oversight.

The adoption of x402 by major financial institutions suggests that AI-driven payments are becoming more mainstream. Users should watch for announcements from their banks or payment providers about integrating x402 into their services, which could offer more efficient and automated payment options.