Google Agentic Payments Protocol + x402: Agents Can Now Actually Pay Each Other

TL;DR Agents can already talk to each other. And now, with x402 within Google’s new AP2, they can pay each other too. Stablecoins make this possible at the speed of code, unlocking micropayments and new models of automation that legacy rails simply can’t support.

Agents are becoming more capable every day. With Google Cloud’s Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol, AI agents across multiple platforms can already communicate and interact with each other to complete tasks. Now, with the addition of x402 within extension and Google’s newest Agentic Payments Protocol (AP2), those agents can do something entirely new: handle payments.

As one of the first extensions to AP2 and the only stablecoin facilitator, x402 enables agents to monetize their own services, pay other agents, or handle micropayments automatically on behalf of users. 

This means that certain tasks which previously required manual oversight - like paying for data crawls, services, or microtasks - can now be executed seamlessly on behalf of users by the agents themselves.

To showcase how this might work, Google, Coinbase built a demo for Lowe's Innovation Lab to illustrate how an agent is now able to discover, research, inventory, shop and check out, all from one prompt. 

Why It Matters

A2A solves the challenge of cross platform agents needing to interact with each other. By adding the AP2 extension to A2A, those agents now unlock entirely new payments capabilities and use cases. And by adding stablecoin payments with x402, we’re setting the stage for agentic commerce - for both traditional and machine-ready payment systems.

For developers, this introduces low-friction, pay-per-use payments - ideal for micropayments, per-crawl fees, and other agent-driven scenarios. For businesses, AP2-enabled agents can now both monetize their services and pay other agents directly, creating new revenue streams and workflows. This marks a big increase in agent autonomy that will only accelerate as agent discovery expands; through tools like x402 bazaar, we’re already enabling agents to automatically discover and interact with any service added to the ecosystem, with no developer upgrading required.

With agents that can now move beyond just information exchange to actual economic interactions, models of automation get unlocked: 

• Academics: A research agent automatically pays another archival agent per-document-crawl, pulling in fresh data for a report without the user ever touching a payment screen.

• Superpowered bug bashing: A code-review agent charges a few cents per bug it flags, letting developers pay only for the insights they actually use.

• Global problem solving: A customer-support agent instantly compensates a translation agent to handle a tricky language request, settling the transaction on the spot with stablecoins.

What It Looks Like In Action

Thanks to AI, people increasingly expect to describe a goal (“I want to restain my deck”) and have the entire path to completion (i.e. recommendations, sourcing, and payment), handled in a single, seamless interaction.

Coinbase and Google built a proof-of-concept demo for Lowe’s Innovation Lab that turns DIY advice into a fully transactable experience, powered by stablecoins, SKU-level intelligence, and zero friction at checkout: 

In the demo, instead of requiring user input at each stage, the agent quick flows through 5 steps (note: some steps are simulated in the demo): 

1. Consultation: AI agent interprets natural language and photos to diagnose the project.

2. Recommendation: Pulls localized SKUs with prices and brands.

3. Confirmation: Presents cart in chat, user approves in one click.

4. Payment: Agent uses x402 + stablecoins for settlement, no card data or zip codes needed.

5. Fulfillment: An API triggers pickup or shipping, and the blockchain receipt doubles as proof of purchase.

The result is a personalized cart, matched to the user’s local store inventory, with pickup and shipping options already calculated.

With x402 stablecoin payments, a customer can pay in USDC with a single tap—no card numbers—while retailers benefit from instant, final settlement with lower fraud risk. Built on Google’s A2A framework, the agent can also coordinate with other agents, like budgeting or delivery, to make real-time decisions.

Looking Ahead

Payments are just the beginning. As agents take on increasingly complex responsibilities: sourcing information, completing tasks, or coordinating across platforms. Seamless transactions will become a core enabler of autonomous workflows. Developers can experiment with new economic models, create agent-run services, and explore micro-economies powered entirely by agents.

Get Started

Developers can start exploring x402 in AP2 today and see how agent-to-agent payments can transform their workflows.

Lowe’s Innovation Lab Disclaimer Simulated Experience: This demonstration includes a simulated cryptocurrency experience and is for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent a live or publicly available Lowe’s experience. Features shown are part of a proof-of-concept and may not reflect current or future capabilities. Product pricing and availability are simulated and do not constitute an offer for sale or advertisement. Actual pricing and availability may vary. Lowe’s does not currently accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment.