TLDR
- Google unveils open-source AI payment protocol supporting stablecoin transactions in partnership with Coinbase
- System enables AI agents to autonomously send and receive payments using dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies
- Over 60 companies involved including Salesforce, American Express, Ethereum Foundation, and major consulting firms
- Builds on Google’s Agent2Agent Protocol framework launched in April for AI communication standards
- Stablecoin market reaches $289 billion, up from $205 billion at start of 2025
Google has launched an open-source payment protocol that enables artificial intelligence applications to process stablecoin transactions autonomously. The initiative represents a major integration of cryptocurrency payments with AI technology.
The tech giant developed the system through partnerships with Coinbase and the Ethereum Foundation. More than 60 organizations participated in the project, including Salesforce, American Express, Etsy, PayPal, and consulting firms Deloitte, McKinsey, and PwC.
James Tromans, Google Cloud’s Web3 head, confirmed the protocol supports traditional payment systems and emerging stablecoin capabilities. The framework allows AI agents to conduct secure financial transactions while maintaining user intent and security protocols.
Coinbase engineer Erik Reppel explained the collaborative approach to payment system integration. “We’re all working to figure out how to make AI transmit value to each other,” he told Fortune regarding the interoperability goals.
The payment protocol extends Google’s Agent2Agent framework introduced in April. That initial system established standards for AI agent communication and interaction across different platforms and applications.
AI Agents Drive Stablecoin Adoption
Industry experts predict AI agents will become major stablecoin users as both technologies mature. Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz recently stated that autonomous AI systems will likely emerge as the largest stablecoin user base.
The Ethereum Foundation has highlighted stablecoins’ potential in AI-powered applications. The organization pointed to HTTP 402 status codes combined with Ethereum Improvement Proposal 3009 as enabling automatic stablecoin transfers by AI agents.
Stablecoins provide price stability compared to volatile cryptocurrencies, making them suitable for automated payment systems. These dollar-pegged tokens eliminate price fluctuation risks while maintaining blockchain transaction benefits.
The current stablecoin market has expanded to $289 billion in circulation during 2025. This represents growth from $205 billion at the beginning of the year, indicating increasing mainstream adoption.
Technical Implementation and Future Applications
The protocol ensures secure, interoperable payments across different blockchain networks and traditional financial systems. Google designed the framework to execute transactions according to user intent rather than random autonomous actions.
The system connects AI agents with decentralized finance protocols for the first time at scale. This integration could streamline trading, improve user interactions, and expand real-world payment use cases across various industries.
Recent regulatory developments support stablecoin adoption in the United States. The GENIUS Act provides clearer guidelines for stablecoin operations and usage, encouraging institutional involvement in the sector.
