Linux Foundation and Coinbase Launch x402 Foundation for AI Payments Revolution

Linux Foundation and Coinbase Launch x402 Foundation for AI Agents

The Linux Foundation created the x402 Foundation to manage and develop an open standard for easy and secure payments using the internet protocol, HTTP.

The Linux Foundation announced the launch of the x402 Foundation on April 2, 2026, during the MCP Dev Summit North America in New York. The initiative involves the formal contribution of the x402 protocol from Coinbase to the Linux Foundation to serve as a neutral, open-source standard for internet-native payments. This protocol enables artificial intelligence (AI) agents, application programming interfaces, and apps to transact value directly within web interactions.

The transition to an open-source model aims to ensure transparency and interoperability across the global financial ecosystem. The foundation launches with support from over 20 industry leaders, including Google, Microsoft, and Visa. Current data indicates the Solana Foundation has been an early adopter, accounting for nearly 65% of x402 transaction volume this year.

According to Jim Zemlin, CEO of the Linux Foundation, the x402 Foundation will build a collaborative and publicly accessible platform for developing these technologies. This approach will prioritize openness, compatibility, and contributions from a wide range of participants, ensuring the technologies grow in a transparent and inclusive manner.

🧭 FAQs

The x402 protocol’s main purpose is to allow payments to be made directly within web-based interactions, specifically for AI agents and applications.

The x402 Foundation is based under the Linux Foundation’s oversight in New York.

Who’s helping to launch this locally? The main companies involved are Coinbase, Stripe, and Cloudflare, along with global giants like Mastercard and Amazon.

The protocol enables AI agents to conduct business with each other, regardless of location, by providing a common, unbiased platform for these transactions.

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2026-04-03 11:57