Mastercard launches AI agent payment platform

Mastercard has introduced Agent Pay for Machines (AP4M), a new platform designed to facilitate secure, automated payments by AI agents. This initiative aims to establish trust and control in agentic commerce, where AI systems conduct transactions on behalf of users. The platform supports payments across cards, bank accounts, and stablecoins, incorporating features like agent authentication, spending limits, and guaranteed settlement. Over 30 companies, including Coinbase and Stripe, have joined the initiative, with initial agent credentials recorded on blockchains like Polygon and Solana, signaling a significant move towards integrating AI into financial systems.