The Cardano Foundation and Masumi Network have developed a new software tool that lets autonomous programs pay for digital services over HTTP using native tokens. The x402 SDK removes the need for traditional user accounts, API keys, or checkout pages to authorize these transactions. This framework enables the automated purchase of compute resources and on-chain data by software agents.

Coinbase integrates the system into its agentic trading platform to facilitate the exchange of more than 6,000 stocks and crypto assets. Agents using a USDC balance can pay for live market data mid-task, eliminating the requirement for monthly subscriptions. These automated trading and payment capabilities are available only to users in the US.