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Cardano joins Solana, XRP Ledger in race to power AI agent payments
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- DeepHorus
Cardano has officially joined the race to power payments for artificial intelligence agents by being added to the x402 software kit. This integration allows developers to build applications and AI agents that can use ADA, the native cryptocurrency of the Cardano blockchain, to pay for online services directly. The move positions Cardano alongside other major networks like Solana and the XRP Ledger in the emerging market for automated machine payments.
The x402 standard, created by Coinbase in 2025, leverages the web's existing '402 Payment Required' response code to build a checkout system directly into internet requests. When a service requires payment, it sends its price and instructions. The AI agent or app then signs and submits a transaction, and upon verification, receives the data or computing power it requested.
This model eliminates traditional barriers like creating accounts, entering card details, or managing subscriptions. For instance, an AI agent compiling a report could purchase a single dataset precisely when needed, optimizing costs and efficiency. This automated, pay-per-use framework is designed specifically for the needs of machine-to-machine transactions.
The integration was built by Cardano Foundation engineers following a specification accepted in June. The initial release includes the necessary client and server software, with a 'facilitator' component responsible for verifying and submitting payments. While the current release supports TypeScript, support for Python is planned for the future.
However, the technology is still in its early stages. Documentation confirms the facilitator has successfully completed a transaction on Cardano's pre-production network but has not yet operated on the mainnet. This means developers can begin integrating the tools, but there is no demonstration of commercial payments being made with ADA at scale.
Cardano's entry intensifies a competitive race among blockchain networks to become the preferred platform for AI agent payments. Ripple, for example, is also promoting XRP for this purpose. The x402 standard itself is supported by a Linux Foundation-backed organization with major members like Visa, Mastercard, and Google.
The broader trend sees stablecoins and cryptocurrencies moving into regulated finance, with the Asia-Pacific region highlighted as a key proving ground. As AI agents become more autonomous, the network that successfully provides a seamless and trusted payment infrastructure stands to capture significant value in this next phase of internet and AI development.
