Do you remember the first way we paid online?
Either by subscribing, binding a bank card, or scanning WeChat or Alipay.
But in the era of blockchain and AI, these methods have become too 'cumbersome'.
In 2025, Coinbase launched a brand new payment standard——x402 Protocol。
It is called the HTTP 402 Payment Standard of the Web3 Era，quietly changing the payment logic of the internet.
✍️ Author: Blockchain Finance Says 📅 Update Time: November 2025 「Follow for updates to never get lost in information」
📍Keywords:#x402 Protocol, Inscription,$USDC , AI Economy, Coinbase
One, What Exactly is x402?
x402 is a protocol that allows web pages to pay directly through the blockchain.
Its name comes from the HTTP status code '402 Payment Required.'
Simply put:
When you visit a website, API, or AI interface, if it requires payment, the website will return status code 402.
After receiving a prompt, the wallet automatically completes the payment with stablecoins (e.g., USDC), and the content is immediately unlocked.
The entire process no longer requires registration, login, binding bank cards, or waiting for confirmation.
As long as there is money in the wallet, the machine can pay on its own.
Two, What Problems Can x402 Solve?
There are three payment issues with traditional internet:
Cannot be automated: Humans must manually confirm, and AI or programs cannot pay by themselves.
Dependent on centralized payment channels: Alipay, Stripe, PayPal, etc., have regional or permission restrictions.
Web2 and Web3 Isolation: USDC and ETH in the Blockchain World Cannot Be Used Directly on Web Pages.
The emergence of x402 just happens to break through these three walls.
It allows web pages to understand blockchain payments, enabling seamless settlements for AI, DApps, websites, and APIs.
Three, How Does x402 Work? (Layman's Version)
For example 🤌:
Four, Why Did x402 Suddenly Become Popular Recently?
1. The explosive demand for payments brought by AI
With more and more AI models, plugins, and agents, they need to call each other - and x402 just happens to be the lightest settlement standard.
2. Low barrier for developers
Web2 programmers can connect to USDC payments without learning blockchain.
Giants like Coinbase, Cloudflare, Circle, and AWS have all supported it.
3. 'Inscription Gameplay' Drives Popularity
The payment action of the x402 protocol inherently has a 'burning' nature.
Thus, the community began to use it for issuing tokens, inscriptions, and airdrops.
For example, the popular PING inscription this year was triggered by payments through x402.
Everyone calls it 'Inscription 2.0' - pay instantly to record, payment to mint.
Five, The Application Ecology of x402
Six, What Can x402 Do in the Future?
🌐 AI Automatic Payment
AI agents can pay for data, images, or model calls themselves.
💳 Web2 Connects to Web3
The website only needs to return an HTTP 402 status code to immediately receive USDC, without relying on Stripe.
🤖 Machine Economy
In the future, 'machines and machines' will be able to automatically settle costs, achieving true 'machine finance.'
Seven, Summary
If you can't remember too many technical details, just remember this sentence 👇
x402 is a new standard for web pages to pay directly with USDC, connecting the payment worlds of AI, Web2, and Web3.
It can be used as a payment protocol and has also become a tool for players to create 'inscription-style tokens.'
Just like the BRC-20 from back in the day, x402 may also spark a new wave of crypto enthusiasm.
