After the MCP and A2A protocols, a significant new protocol called the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) has emerged in the AI Agent space, developed by Google. Clearly, this will further enhance the autonomous multi-task execution capabilities of AI Agents, but it is disheartening that it has little to do with web3AI. Let's break it down:
What problem does AP2 actually solve?
In simple terms, the MCP protocol acts like a universal hook, enabling AI Agents to connect with various external tools and data sources; A2A is a team collaboration communication protocol that allows multiple AI Agents to work together to complete complex tasks; AP2 fills in the last piece of the puzzle—payment capabilities.
In other words, MCP opened up connection capabilities, A2A facilitated collaboration efficiency, and AP2 achieved value exchange. The arrival of AP2 truly injects "soul" into the autonomous collaboration and task execution of Multi-Agents.
Imagine this: AI Agents connect with platforms like Qunar, Meituan, and Didi to arrange flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals, but get stuck at the final step of "autonomous payment." What would be the point of the entire multi-task execution? So, remember this:
AP2 is an extension of MCP + A2A, solving the last mile problem of automated execution for AI Agents.
What are the technical highlights of AP2?
The core innovation of AP2 is the Mandates mechanism, which includes real-time authorization and delegated authorization modes.
Real-time authorization is easy to understand; the AI Agent finds a product and presents it to you, and it can only execute the operation after the user signs off. Delegated authorization requires users to set rules in advance, such as buying an iPhone 17 only if the price drops to 5,000. The AI Agent monitors the triggering conditions and executes automatically.
The implementation logic is based on verifiable credentials (VCs) for encrypted signatures, allowing users to set complex delegated conditions, including price ranges, time limits, payment method priorities, etc., forming tamper-proof digital contracts. Once signed, the AI Agent will execute according to the conditions, with each step having VCs to ensure auditability and security.
Notably, the "A2A x402" extension is a technical component developed by Google specifically for crypto payments, in deep collaboration with Coinbase and the Ethereum Foundation. This extension enables AI Agents to seamlessly handle blockchain assets like stablecoins and ETH, supporting native payment scenarios in the Web3 ecosystem.
What imaginative possibilities does AP2 bring?
After analyzing the technical principles, one might wonder, is that all? Indeed, when viewed in isolation, AP2 may seem unremarkable.
Its true charm lies in connecting the technology stack of "MCP + A2A + AP2," completely opening up the full link of autonomous analysis + execution + payment for AI Agents.
As a result, many application scenarios for AI Agents can now be explored. For example, an AI Agent for stock investment can help us monitor the market 24/7 and execute trades autonomously, while an enterprise procurement AI Agent can automatically restock and renew subscriptions without human intervention. The enhancement of payment capabilities through AP2 will further expand the penetration of Agent-to-Agent economic models.
Google clearly understands that after establishing a technical framework, it needs to rely on ecosystem implementation, so it has partnered with over 60 collaborators, nearly encompassing the entire payment and commercial ecosystem. Interestingly, it also involves major crypto players like Ethereum, Coinbase, and MetaMask, which, combined with the current trend of integration between cryptocurrencies and stocks, further amplifies the imaginative possibilities.
Is there really no opportunity for web3 AI?
Not necessarily. While Google's AP2 appears comprehensive, it only achieves technical compatibility for crypto payments and can be seen as an extension of traditional authorization frameworks, falling under the category of automated execution. This presents a "paradigm" difference from the autonomous asset management sought by purely crypto-native solutions.
The exploratory crypto-native solutions are taking the route of "decentralized custody + on-chain verification," including AI Agents autonomously managing assets, AI Agents autonomously trading (DeFAI), AI Agents with digital identities and on-chain reputation systems (ERC-8004…), AI Agent on-chain governance DAO frameworks, AI Agent NPCs, and digital avatars, among many other interesting directions.
Ultimately, as users become accustomed to AI Agent payments in traditional domains, their acceptance of AI Agents autonomously owning digital assets will also increase. Meanwhile, scenarios involving anonymous transactions, censorship-resistant payments, and decentralized asset management—areas that AP2 cannot touch—will eventually provide opportunities for crypto-native solutions to shine.
The two are more likely to be complementary rather than competitive, but to be fair, the key technological advancements for AI Agents currently stem from web2AI, and web3AI still has more work to do!
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