Base x402 protocol processes 100 million machine payments

A protocol enabling automated payments between machines has processed over 100 million transactions on the Base blockchain in approximately nine months, signaling a significant step toward practical adoption of this long-envisioned technology. According to a report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, wallets interacting with Coinbase's x402 protocol have generated this volume of transactions since its launch in mid-2025.

The x402 protocol is designed to allow software agents, such as AI programs, to make on-chain payments automatically. When an agent needs access to a digital resource like an application programming interface (API) or a data feed, it can directly complete a stablecoin payment as part of the web request without waiting for human approval or manual invoicing.

A substantial portion of the protocol's initial growth was driven by a memecoin experiment called PING, which required users to make a payment through x402 to mint tokens. This activity produced a sharp, temporary surge in transactions. While activity moderated after interest in the token faded, overall usage stabilized at levels well above those seen before the experiment.