Coinbase has recently unveiled a new x402 payments protocol aimed at revolutionizing online payments in India. The protocol enables stablecoin transfers over standard internet protocols and allows AI agents to transact autonomously. This innovative development was announced by Coinbase on May 6, introducing a protocol called x402 for instant stablecoin payments directly over the internet communication protocol HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). This new system enables Application Programming Interface (APIs), apps, and AI agents to conduct seamless transactions, thereby unlocking a faster and more automated internet economy, according to the firm. Coinbase stated that x402 is designed to rectify what it calls “the internet’s first mistake” by embedding stablecoin payments directly into web interactions with minimal code integration required. Traditional payment methods like credit cards and bank transfers are seen as outdated in the modern digital age, as they are slow, expensive, and geographically limited. In contrast, x402 provides a seamless payment system native to the internet, allowing both humans and AI agents to transact value as easily as exchanging data. The head of engineering at Coinbase Developer Platform, Erik Reppel, emphasized the vision behind x402 by stating, “We’re laying the groundwork for an economy run not just by people, but by software – autonomous, intelligent, and always on.” The x402 protocol is set to have significant benefits for AI agents in achieving economic autonomy and independence in real-time transactions, eliminating the need for human intervention. By partnering with AWS, Circle, Anthropic, and Near Protocol, Coinbase aims to launch this cutting-edge protocol that simplifies real-time monetization and unlocks new use cases such as micropayments for AI agents and apps in India.