Block Joins x402 Foundation to Integrate Bitcoin Lightning for AI Agent Payments

Block, led by Jack Dorsey, has joined the x402 Foundation to support the development of the x402 open standard, which enables automated payments for AI agents and web services. Originally developed by Coinbase, x402 allows machines to handle payment requests autonomously, mirroring the '402 Payment Required' HTTP status code. Block has integrated the Bitcoin Lightning Network into the x402 standard, aiming to provide a low-cost, high-volume payment infrastructure for the growing 'agent economy.' The company plans to contribute its expertise in consumer payments to the foundation's working groups to further advance open agentic commerce.