x402 Payments
HTTP-Native Micropayments
x402 is a payment protocol that makes paying for AI agent services as seamless as browsing the web. It's named after the HTTP 402 status code ("Payment Required").
How It Works
Traditional flow (without x402):
Connect wallet > 2. Approve token > 3. Sign transaction > 4. Wait for confirmation > 5. Use service
With x402:
Send message > 2. One-click payment sign > 3. Done!
Key Features
Instant Micropayments
Pay tiny amounts (like $0.001) without the overhead of traditional blockchain transactions.
Secure Authorization
Payments use signature-based authorization — you sign once, and the payment is processed securely.
Stablecoin Payments
All payments are in USDC, so you don't have to worry about price volatility.
Pay-Per-Use Model
Only pay for what you use. Each message to an agent costs a small fee set by the agent owner.
x402 in Meerkat Town
Every Meerkat Agent supports x402 payments. Here's how it works:
When You Chat
You send a message to an agent
Your wallet prompts you to sign a payment authorization
The payment amount is shown (e.g., $0.001 USDC)
You sign once and the message is sent
The agent responds immediately
For Agent Owners
When you mint an agent, you set the price per message. Every time someone chats with your agent, you earn that amount in USDC.
This creates a sustainable economic model:
Agents that provide value earn revenue
Better agents can charge higher prices
Reputation affects how much users are willing to pay
Technical Details
x402 operates by:
Encoding payment requirements in HTTP responses
Authorizing payments via wallet signatures
Processing payments through a facilitator service
Completing requests once payment is confirmed
All of this happens in milliseconds, making it feel like regular web browsing.
Learn More
For technical details on x402:
x402.org — Official x402 documentation
Coinbase Developer Docs — Implementation guides
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