Google’s AP2 protocol introduced a universal framework that allows AI agents to initiate payments in the same way as humans.
The system supports credit cards, bank transfers, and crypto rails for stablecoin payments, allowing AI assistants to spend with explicit approval from users.
To build this, we partnered with more than 60 key partners. Notable companies include Coinbase, Mastercard, PayPal, MetaMask, Polygon, Adobe, Revolut, Shopify, Intuit, and more. The goal is to make AI-driven commerce secure, auditable, and interoperable across banks and blockchains.
Why do we need a new protocol?
As AI agents begin to perform more realistic tasks, such as purchasing products, booking travel, and managing budgets, there is a growing need for these agents to act with appropriate permissions and for sellers to trust their actions.
Most current payment systems rely on a human to click “buy.” But in the near future, AI assistants may be making purchases on your behalf. This raises important questions such as:
- Did you really approve the purchase?
- Did the AI follow your instructions?
- Who is responsible if something goes wrong?
AP2 answers all of these and creates a shared, secure way for agents to process payments, regardless of the payment method used.
Related: Cloudflare joins Google and Coinbase to power AI-enabled payments Stablecoin
How it works: Obligations and verifiable credentials
The protocol uses “mandates,” which are tamper-proof digital contracts that prove a user’s intent. for example:
- When you say, “Buy me shoes that cost less than $100,” the AI agent generates an intent instruction.
- Once a pair is found and the cart is displayed, authorization creates a cart delegation.
These steps and verifiable credentials make it easy to track who authorized what, ensuring all transactions are authorized, auditable, and secure.
This also works if there are no users. If you tell your agent to buy Taylor Swift tickets on the day they go on sale, they can follow your instructions as long as you follow the established rules.
Encryption support: stablecoins and Web3 support
Google built AP2 with cryptocurrencies in mind. We partnered with Coinbase, MetaMask, Ethereum Foundation, and Polygon to release an extension called A2A x402 that allows agents to make payments using stablecoins and blockchain networks.
This means that in the future, AI agents will be able to send cryptocurrencies, pay gas bills, and complete smart contract transactions on behalf of users while following strict rules regarding security and verification.
Who is involved?
The list of launch partners is huge. Some notable names include:
- Cryptocurrency and Web3: Coinbase, MetaMask, Polygon, Ethereum Foundation, Crossmint, Mesh, Mysten Labs
- Traditional payments: Mastercard, American Express, JCB, PayPal, Worldpay, Adyen
- Technology and e-commerce: Adobe, Salesforce, Shopify, Dell, ServiceNow, Revolut
- Security and Identity: Okta/Auth0, 1Password, Forter, Gravitee
- Consulting: Accenture, PwC, Deloitte
Many of these companies plan to integrate AP2 into their products or build new agent-based services on top of it.
Agentic Commerce and Web3 interoperability
Google sees AP2 as the foundation for a new era of commerce, where AI agents can securely manage purchases, budgets, and financial workflows. This ranges from purchasing everyday items to automating corporate procurement.
Developers and businesses can already explore open source specifications and code on GitHub, and many partners are working on real-world use cases.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. This article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the use of the content, products, or services mentioned. We encourage our readers to do their due diligence before taking any action related to our company.
