Cloudflare just announced a tool that lets businesses charge AI agents in stablecoins

Cloudflare, the cloud security firm, has introduced a new tool that enables businesses to charge AI agents using Circle's stablecoin, USDC. The tool, part of Cloudflare's Monetization Gateway initiative, is currently in closed beta for U.S.-based users. The system allows agents to automatically pay fees each time they access an online service, bypassing the need for humans to sign up for monthly subscriptions or enter credit card information.

This development comes as agentic commerce, which involves using AI agents to find products, make purchases, and handle payments for users, gains traction. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire has been a strong advocate for stablecoins in powering these payments, envisioning a future where AI agents carry out transactions for people and businesses.

Cloudflare's tool functions as an intermediary between websites and AI agents, presenting prices and granting access once payments are verified using Coinbase's x402 system and settled on Base, Coinbase's blockchain network.