Google Launches AP2 Payment Protocol for AI Agents
Google released **AP2**, a new payments protocol that enables AI agents to make purchases on behalf of users.
The system works by allowing humans to sign cryptographic consent that sets spending rules for their AI - like "buy the most popular running shoes under $150." This creates a **verifiable credential** that merchants can trust.
**Key benefits:**
- Prevents chargebacks since purchases are pre-authorized
- Works with Coinbase's x402 crypto payment protocol
- Enables fast, cheap stablecoin transactions
- Provides clear spending boundaries for AI agents
For the agentic economy to work safely, AI agents need access to **trustworthy data** to make smart purchasing decisions. This is where data validation becomes critical for powering tomorrow's AI-driven commerce.
The protocol could enable use cases like agents automatically registering cars with the DMV or even selling vehicles autonomously.