Google AP2 protocol finally opens up AI agent payment capabilities, combining MCP and A2A to move towards the era of large commercial use

Google launched the payment protocol AP2, which allows AI Agents to realize automated payment capabilities. It complements the MCP and A2A protocols and opens up a complete link for AI autonomous execution. This article originates from an article written by Lian Shangguan, which was organized, compiled and written by PANews.
(Preliminary information: Google launches "Agent Payment Protocol AP2" that supports stablecoins and cryptocurrencies: allowing AI to achieve cross-platform transactions)
(Background supplement: PayPal launches "PayPal Links" to be compatible with cryptocurrency: making P2P payments as simple as text messaging)

Contents of this article

Following the MCP and A2A protocols, there is another AI Agent track by Google Produced by the blockbuster protocol Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). Obviously, this will further enhance the AI Agent's autonomous multi-task execution capabilities, but what's worrying is that it has nothing to do with web3 AI?

Let’s do some popular science interpretation:

What problem does AP2 solve?

To put it simply, the MCP protocol is like a universal hook, allowing AI Agents to realize the ability to connect to various external tools and data sources; A2A is a set of team collaboration communication protocols that allow multiple AI Agents to cooperate with each other to complete complex tasks; AP2 completes the last piece of the puzzle: Payment ability.

In other words, MCP opens up connection capabilities, A2A promotes collaboration efficiency, and AP2 achieves value exchange. The arrival of AP2 truly injects "soul" into the autonomous collaboration and execution of tasks by Multi-Agents.

Just imagine, AI Agents connected with Qunar, Uber, and Agoda to complete the arrangements for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, but got stuck at the end of the "autonomous payment" process. So what's the point of the original multi-tasking process? So, remember this sentence:

AP2 is an extension of MCP+A2A and solves the last mile problem of AI Agent automated execution.

What are the technical highlights of AP2?

The core innovation of AP2 is the Mandates (authorization letter) mechanism, which is divided into real-time authorization mode and delegated authorization mode.

Real-time authorization is easy to understand. AI Agent finds the product and shows it to you, and the user signs it before the operation can be performed. Delegated authorization requires the user to set rules in advance, such as iPhone 17 before buying it at a reduced price. AI Agent monitors the trigger conditions and executes them automatically.

The implementation logic is based on encrypted signatures based on verifiable certificates (VCs). Users can set complex delegation conditions, including price ranges, time limits, payment method priorities, etc., and form a tamper-proof digital contract. Once signed, the AI Agent completes execution conditionally, with VCs at each step to ensure auditability and security.

Of particular note is the "A2A x402" extension, which is a technical component developed by Google specifically for crypto payments and has in-depth cooperation with Coinbase and the Ethereum Foundation. This extension allows AI Agent to seamlessly handle blockchain assets such as stablecoins and ETH, and supports native payment scenarios in the Web3 ecosystem.

What imagination space can AP2 bring?

After analyzing the technical principles, will this be it? Yes, the AP2 actually looks boring when taken apart.

Its real charm is that it connects and opens up the "MCP+A2A+AP2" technology stack, completely opening up the complete link of AI Agent's autonomous analysis + execution + payment.

Since then, many application scenarios of AI Agent can be opened. For example, AI Agent stock investment and financial management can help us monitor the market 24/7 and conduct independent transactions. Enterprise procurement AI Agent can automatically replenish and renew goods without manual intervention, etc. AP2’s completion in payment capabilities will further expand the penetration of Agent-to-Agent economic form into more scenarios. *

Google clearly understands that after the technical framework is opened up, it must rely on ecological implementation, so it has attracted more than 60 partners to expand, almost covering the entire payment and business ecosystem. Interestingly, it also involves big Crypto players such as Ethereum, Coinbase, MetaMask, Sui, etc., and the imagination space for the integration trend of currency and stock integration has been doubled.

Is web3 AI really no chance?

Not necessarily. Google's AP2 looks very complete, but it only achieves technical compatibility with Crypto payments. It can only be regarded as an extension of the traditional authorization framework and belongs to the category of automated execution. There is a "paradigm" difference from the autonomous management of assets pursued by pure Crypto native solutions.

The Crypto native solution under exploration is taking the "decentralized custody + on-chain verification" route, including AI Agent autonomous asset management, AI Agent autonomous transactions (DeFAI), AI Agent digital identity and on-chain reputation system (ERC-8004...), AI Agent on-chain governance DAO framework, AI Agent NPC and digital clones, and many other interesting and interesting directions.

Ultimately, when users become accustomed to AI Agent payments in traditional fields, their acceptance of AI Agents’ autonomous possession of digital assets will also increase. And in those scenarios such as anonymous transactions, censorship-resistant payments, and decentralized asset management that AP2 cannot touch, will there always be a time when Crypto’s native solutions can show their full potential?

The two are more likely to be complementary rather than competitive, but there is one thing to say: the current key technological advancement of AI Agent comes from web2 AI, and web3 AI must continue to work hard!