Coinbase Launches Payments MCP for Autonomous AI Crypto Transactions

Coinbase has launched Payments MCP, a new tool that enables AI agents to autonomously create wallets, fund accounts, and make stablecoin payments via the x402 protocol without human setup. Built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), this system connects AI models such as Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini directly to blockchain financial services, facilitating seamless on-chain transactions and interactions. Payments MCP builds on Coinbase’s open payment standard x402, reviving the HTTP 402 status code concept to create an internet-native payment system tailored for AI-driven commerce. The tool allows users to configure agents, set spending limits, and manage transactions locally, enhancing security and control while promoting agentic commerce, where AI performs real-world transactions independently. Coinbase emphasizes that stablecoins are ideal for autonomous AI payments due to their speed, programmability, and integration with APIs, bridging the gap between AI and decentralized finance. This development signals a significant step toward integrating AI systems with blockchain infrastructure, enabling new possibilities in autonomous financial operations.