The post Google AP2 Protocol Brings Stablecoin Payments to AI Agents appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Google has launched the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) to enable AI agents to make secure payments on behalf of users. The protocol supports credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies like stablecoins. Over 60 leading companies, including Coinbase and Mastercard, have joined the initiative. Google’s AP2 Protocol introduced a universal framework where AI agents can initiate payments the same way humans do. The system supports credit cards, bank transfers, and crypto rails for stablecoin payments, letting AI assistants spend with explicit authorization from users. To build this, Google teamed up with over 60 major partners. Prominent names include Coinbase, Mastercard, PayPal, MetaMask, Polygon, Adobe, Revolut, Shopify, Intuit, and more.  The goal is to make AI-driven commerce safe, auditable, and interoperable across banks and blockchains. Why is a New Protocol Needed? As AI agents start doing more real-world tasks like buying products, booking travel, or managing budgets, there’s a growing need to ensure those agents act with proper permission and that merchants can trust their actions. Most payment systems today assume a human clicks “buy”. But in the near future, AI assistant could make purchases on one’s behalf. That raises key questions: Did you actually approve the purchase? Did the AI follow your instructions? Who is responsible if something goes wrong? AP2 answers all of these, creating a shared, secure way for agents to handle payments, no matter what payment method is used. Related: Cloudflare Joins Google, Coinbase in Push for AI-Ready Payments Stablecoin How it works: Mandates and Verifiable Credentials The protocol uses “Mandates,” tamper-proof digital contracts that prove the user’s intent. For example: If you say, “Buy me shoes under $100,” the AI agent generates an Intent Mandate. Once it finds a pair and shows you the cart, your approval creates a Cart Mandate. These steps, along with Verifiable Credentials,… The post Google AP2 Protocol Brings Stablecoin Payments to AI Agents appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Google has launched the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) to enable AI agents to make secure payments on behalf of users. The protocol supports credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies like stablecoins. Over 60 leading companies, including Coinbase and Mastercard, have joined the initiative. Google’s AP2 Protocol introduced a universal framework where AI agents can initiate payments the same way humans do. The system supports credit cards, bank transfers, and crypto rails for stablecoin payments, letting AI assistants spend with explicit authorization from users. To build this, Google teamed up with over 60 major partners. Prominent names include Coinbase, Mastercard, PayPal, MetaMask, Polygon, Adobe, Revolut, Shopify, Intuit, and more.  The goal is to make AI-driven commerce safe, auditable, and interoperable across banks and blockchains. Why is a New Protocol Needed? As AI agents start doing more real-world tasks like buying products, booking travel, or managing budgets, there’s a growing need to ensure those agents act with proper permission and that merchants can trust their actions. Most payment systems today assume a human clicks “buy”. But in the near future, AI assistant could make purchases on one’s behalf. That raises key questions: Did you actually approve the purchase? Did the AI follow your instructions? Who is responsible if something goes wrong? AP2 answers all of these, creating a shared, secure way for agents to handle payments, no matter what payment method is used. Related: Cloudflare Joins Google, Coinbase in Push for AI-Ready Payments Stablecoin How it works: Mandates and Verifiable Credentials The protocol uses “Mandates,” tamper-proof digital contracts that prove the user’s intent. For example: If you say, “Buy me shoes under $100,” the AI agent generates an Intent Mandate. Once it finds a pair and shows you the cart, your approval creates a Cart Mandate. These steps, along with Verifiable Credentials,…