Coinbase launched Payments MCP, a platform that allows large language models (LLM) to access cryptocurrency infrastructure for making payments without the need to set up API keys.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced that Payments MCP directly connects AI-powered solutions to the crypto economy. The new tool enables AI agents to manage funds and conduct transactions through simple text commands, using the x402 payment protocol.
The open web protocol x402, previously introduced by Coinbase, enables instant stablecoin payments via HTTP requests using the status code 402 Payment Required. The protocol is designed for AI agents and forms the foundation for autonomous digital commerce.
Developed by the Coinbase Developer Platform team, Payments MCP is built for integration with popular LLMs such as Claude, Codex, Gemini, and Cherry Studio. The tool grants AI agents access to key financial features — creating wallets, connecting to on-ramp services, and making stablecoin payments — all through a familiar interface, without programming or API key setup.
Users can register a wallet via email, set spending limits, and manage transactions through a dashboard. The built-in x402 Bazaar Explorer lets agents discover APIs and services available for direct payment within the interface. Support for guest payments and local execution on personal computers ensures high speed and security.
According to Coinbase’s press release, Payments MCP is the first tool that enables LLMs to interact directly with cryptocurrency infrastructure. This solution paves the way for a new form of agentic commerce, where AI not only analyzes data but also participates in the digital economy — paying for compute resources, accessing paid data, rewarding creators, or even managing small business operations.
Coinbase emphasized that security remains a top priority — users can restrict AI agent actions, set limits, and control access to funds. The company plans to expand the list of supported models and integrations as it continues to develop infrastructure for autonomous AI-driven payments.
Earlier, CP Media covered the growing trend of AI agent adoption in FinTech solutions. Since then, several major initiatives emerged in this space, including Google’s Agent Payments Protocol, Cloudflare’s Trusted Agent Protocol, and others.
