Google’s Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) enhances existing AI agent systems—MCP and A2A—by enabling autonomous payment handling and task execution. With two authorization modes, real-time user approval and pre-set delegated rules, AP2 introduces a Mandates mechanism, enhancing transaction security through Verifiable Credentials (VCs). The “A2A x402” extension facilitates crypto payments with support for stablecoins and blockchain assets, positioning AP2 at the intersection of traditional finance and crypto.
Over 60 partners are collaborating on diverse applications—including automated stock trading and procurement—allowing AI agents to seamlessly manage tasks that involve payments. While AP2 integrates well within a traditional authorization framework, it represents an adaptation rather than a shift towards fully decentralized, crypto-native solutions. The synergy of MCP, A2A, and AP2 opens exciting avenues for AI agents in finance and beyond, suggesting a complementary relationship rather than a competitive dynamic between web2 and web3 AI innovations.
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