AI agents will become Ethereum's ‘biggest power user,’ Coinbase devs say Autonomous agents — AI-powered programs capable of thinking and transacting without human input — are poised to unlock a new era of e-commerce on Ethereum by leveraging a largely forgotten HTTP web standard. The HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status, defined 30 years ago but dormant until now, combined with Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 3009, enables AI agents to make stablecoin transfers autonomously. This was highlighted by the Ethereum Foundation in a guest thread authored by Coinbase developers Kevin Leffew and Lincoln Murr. The developers stated that autonomous agents could become Ethereum’s "biggest power user." Coinbase has already implemented HTTP 402 through the "x402 payments protocol," as documented on their GitHub. This development is transformative because AI agents can now access funds independently to pay for services, removing the need for human intervention in managing API calls, storage, or computation.

Real-world applications

This capability could enable a variety of use cases, such as self-driving taxis covering their own operational costs, AI models generating content on demand, and applications automatically using stablecoins to store data permanently. Currently, AI agents are already trading cryptocurrencies by analyzing market data, executing buy or sell orders, and optimizing portfolios in real time without human input.

As simple as a vending machine

Leffew and Murr likened the process to a vending machine: an AI agent receives an HTTP 402 request, signs a transaction, and makes the payment to receive the response. This effectively turns an API into a wallet-aware service.

"One round trip. Like a vending machine. No accounts required."

Why Ethereum is ideal for HTTP 402

Ethereum’s trustless settlement layer makes it the perfect blockchain for implementing HTTP 402. It streamlines invoices and dispute chargebacks far more efficiently than traditional methods.

"They need atomic payments, programmable policies, and composable wallets. Ethereum and stablecoins give them exactly that."

Current adoption and future potential

Developers are already experimenting with HTTP 402. For example, Hyperbolic Labs has integrated it into its large language model, and Prodia Labs uses it to generate images and video media content. Leffew and Murr concluded:

"The magic of x402 isn’t just that agents can pay, it’s that they can autonomously chain services into full economic loops."

Originally published at Cointelegraph on Thu, 14 Aug 2025 04:50:01 GMT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AI Agents and Autonomous Transactions

Q: What are autonomous AI agents? A: Autonomous AI agents are AI-powered programs capable of thinking and transacting without direct human input. They can analyze data, make decisions, and execute actions independently. Q: How do AI agents transact on Ethereum? A: They can now transact autonomously by leveraging the HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status combined with Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 3009. This allows them to make stablecoin transfers for services without human intervention. Q: What is the HTTP 402 status code and its role in AI transactions? A: The HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status, previously dormant, has been reactivated with EIP-3009 to enable AI agents to initiate and complete payments for services, essentially turning APIs into wallet-aware services. Q: What are some real-world applications for AI agents transacting on Ethereum? A: Potential applications include self-driving taxis covering their own operational costs, AI models generating content on demand, and applications automatically storing data using stablecoins.

Ethereum and Payment Protocols

Q: Why is Ethereum considered ideal for implementing the HTTP 402 protocol for AI agents? A: Ethereum's trustless settlement layer provides the necessary infrastructure for efficient and secure autonomous transactions, streamlining processes like invoicing and dispute resolution. Q: What capabilities do Ethereum and stablecoins offer to AI agents for autonomous payments? A: Ethereum and stablecoins provide atomic payments, programmable policies, and composable wallets, which are essential for AI agents to manage and execute payments autonomously.

Current Adoption and Future Potential

Q: Which companies or projects are already experimenting with the HTTP 402 protocol? A: Hyperbolic Labs has integrated it into its large language model, and Prodia Labs uses it for generating image and video media content. Q: What is the broader potential of AI agents autonomously chaining services? A: The ability for AI agents to autonomously chain services together allows for the creation of full economic loops, opening up new possibilities for decentralized applications and automated workflows.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The integration of autonomous AI agents with Ethereum's payment infrastructure marks a significant leap forward, potentially transforming how digital commerce operates. This innovation aligns with our vision at Crypto Market AI, where we explore the intersection of AI and finance. Our platform focuses on providing AI-driven tools for market analysis and trading, aiming to empower users with intelligent insights. The concept of AI agents autonomously managing transactions and services echoes the drive for efficiency and automation that we champion. As these agents become more sophisticated, they could indeed become Ethereum's largest users, driving demand for gas fees and fostering new economic models within the ecosystem.

AI agents will become Ethereum's ‘biggest power user’