Blockchain protocols emerge to enable automated AI agent payments

New blockchain standards are emerging to facilitate automated payments for AI agents and software scripts. These protocols allow machines to access web services, APIs, and data through pay-per-use models rather than traditional subscriptions.

On the Algorand network, developers are testing x402 payment flows to enable agentic commerce. In August, Algorand recorded 615,000 transfers with a settled volume of $174,000, marking an early phase of automated settlement for digital resources. The network’s low fees and deterministic finality are cited as key drivers for these frequent, small-value transactions.

Simultaneously, the BRC-166 standard was approved for the BSV network in late August. Developed by Andy Rowe, this standard allows AI agents to pay for web services in satoshis via HTTP 402 without requiring formal accounts, signups, or specialized wallet software. The BRC-166 standard is designed to coexist with existing x402 proposals, providing a frictionless way for software to settle payments using unique one-time addresses that can be verified on a public blockchain.