Coinbase Launches Payments MCP to Connect AI Agents to On-Chain Payments
The launch connects Model Context Protocol tools to Coinbase’s x402 standard to enable autonomous stablecoin transactions by AI agents.
Overview
- Initial integrations include Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s Codex, and Cherry Studio, with ChatGPT support planned due to a current transport incompatibility.
- Agents can create email-based wallets, onramp funds, and send stablecoin payments without API keys or developer setup.
- The system runs locally for privacy and speed and offers an x402 Bazaar Explorer where agents can browse and pay for APIs and services.
- Configurable spending limits, approval thresholds, and session caps, plus embedded KYC at on- and off-ramps, provide guardrails for agent activity.
- Coinbase and Cloudflare are backing an x402 Foundation to keep the standard company‑neutral, as Coinbase positions its Base network and developer platform for agentic commerce.