Coinbase has introduced a new protocol that allows artificial intelligence agents to transact directly on-chain using crypto wallets and stablecoins.
Summary
- Coinbase introduced Payments MCP to let AI agents open wallets and send stablecoin payments directly on-chain.
- The protocol connects models like Claude and Gemini through natural language prompts and local security controls.
- It builds on Coinbase’s 2025 initiatives linking AI systems with blockchain-based payment infrastructure.
The release marks the company’s latest move in linking AI to decentralized finance.
On an Oct. 23 blog post, the exchange introduced Payments MCP, a developer tool that connects large language models to crypto payments without API keys or complex setup.
Connecting AI agents to on-chain payments
Payments MCP, short for Model Context Protocol, gives AI systems access to key blockchain functions such as wallet creation, onramps, and stablecoin transfers. Supported agents include Claude, Gemini, Codex, and Cherry Studio, all able to process payments through natural language commands.
Coinbase said the protocol makes it possible for AI to act autonomously within the global economy by managing transactions, retrieving paid data, and paying for compute. Users can create wallets with an email address, set spending limits, and track transactions through a local desktop interface for added security.
The product integrates with x402, a payment framework that Coinbase developed with Cloudflare. It represents what the company calls a step toward “agentic commerce,” where intelligent systems are not only analytical but also financially active.
Expanding the link between crypto and automation
Payments MCP builds on Coinbase’s 2025 strategy of linking AI infrastructure with crypto rails. The company’s recent initiatives, including USDC lending, the Google-Coinbase stablecoin protocol, and its Base L2 integrations, set the stage for the rollout.
Coinbase describes crypto rails, and stablecoins in particular, as the “ideal payment infrastructure” for AI systems, citing their speed, composability, and lack of human friction. The company sees Payments MCP as the missing piece connecting AI automation with real-world financial participation.
With Payments MCP, the company aims to position its developer platform and Base network as the foundation for the next wave of automated digital commerce. In the coming months, the exchange plans to increase support for more models and developer tools as part of its ongoing efforts to link AI capabilities with practical financial uses.
