The adoption of Coinbase’s x402 payment protocol within blockchain networks is rapidly advancing the use of autonomous, AI-powered transactions, with
BNB
Chain and AEON at the forefront. On October 30,
BNB Chain announced
the debut of AEON’s x402 Facilitator—a framework that empowers AI agents to conduct secure, programmable micropayments using stablecoins. This innovation is a major milestone in turning the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” code into a practical payment mechanism, enabling AI to handle transactions independently of human input,
Morningstar reported
.
The x402 protocol, first introduced by
Coinbase
in May 2025, transforms online commerce by integrating payments directly into HTTP requests. Utilizing stablecoins, it removes the necessity for conventional accounts, wallets, or middlemen, allowing for instant, on-chain settlements,
Yahoo Finance reported
. With AEON’s Facilitator, BNB Chain now natively supports AI-driven transactions using stablecoins, featuring
immutable
receipts and verifiable smart contract execution. This ensures a secure, tamper-resistant audit trail, which is vital for regulatory compliance and reconciliation in sophisticated AI applications.
Recent figures highlight the protocol’s rapid expansion. Dune Analytics recorded more than 932,000 x402 transactions in just one week—a staggering 34,300% jump from the previous week,
MarketScreener reported
. Another analysis found nearly 500,000 transactions in a single week, representing a 10,780% month-over-month increase,
CryptoNews reported
. This surge has attracted major industry players: BNB Chain has promoted four projects related to x402, and Circle has adopted the protocol to allow AI agents to pay for API access with
USDC
.
The protocol’s impact goes far beyond transaction numbers. Analysts at a16z forecast that agentic AI—autonomous systems managing assets and finances—could be responsible for $30 trillion in automated transactions by 2030. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong emphasized this momentum on X in
Brian Armstrong's post on X
, noting, “x402 growing like crazy,” as the protocol becomes increasingly popular for API monetization, digital content paywalls, and microservices.
Partnerships are further strengthening the x402 ecosystem. APRO and Pieverse have recently joined forces to improve cross-chain compliance, leveraging x402 and x402b standards to authenticate on-chain invoices and receipts for tax and audit purposes,
Lookonchain reported
. At the same time, AEON was chosen by BNB Chain’s Most Valuable Builder program to help accelerate its ecosystem, reflecting institutional trust in the protocol’s scalability.
Importantly, x402 also tackles technical barriers to stablecoin use. Previously, major tokens on BNB Chain did not support EIP-3009 for gasless transactions, but AEON’s Facilitator now supports both EIP-3009-enabled and standard ERC-20 tokens. This adaptability, together with ERC-8004-compliant agent identities, establishes x402 as a core infrastructure for the AI-driven economy.
As x402 continues to gain traction, its effects on
Ethereum
and the wider blockchain industry are profound. With Coinbase’s Base layer built on Ethereum, the network is well-positioned to benefit from the stablecoin activity generated by x402’s growth. Meanwhile, the merging of crypto, AI, and traditional finance—fueled by talent moving across sectors—heralds a new era for programmable digital money.