a16Pay: The Open Payment Protocol for AI Agents
Empowering AI agents with identity, wallets, and payment execution in a decentralized world.
What does a16Pay mean?
Our name embodies our vision for the future of AI-powered finance
AI Agents
Autonomous AI agents that can make decisions and execute transactions without human intervention. These agents need financial autonomy to fulfill their potential.
- Autonomous decision-making
- Global operation 24/7
- Secure identity verification
Hexadecimal ID
A unique identifier system that bridges traditional payment cards with blockchain wallet addresses, creating a universal ID format for AI agents.
- Compatible with financial systems
- Blockchain-ready addressing
- Cryptographic security
Payment Network
Creating a seamless bridge between human financial systems and the emerging agentic digital economy, enabling value transfer across ecosystems.
- Cross-border transactions
- Instant settlement
- Programmable payments
Why a16Pay?
Traditional payment systems were built for humans — with KYC, identity checks, centralized trust, and slow-moving institutions. But the world is changing — and AI agents are here.
Payment Execution
Agents can't execute decisions without payment ability
Infrastructure Gaps
No infrastructure for micro, high-frequency payment transactions
Human-Centric Systems
Onboarding, identity, and wallets are human-centric
Fragmented Rails
Payment rails are fragmented by country, currency, and institution
Centralized Trust
Decentralized agents need decentralized trust — not centralized banks
Financial Exclusion
Unbanked populations still left behind
a16Pay is the ‘HTTP’ of AI Payments
Just like HTTP standardized digital communication, a16Pay standardizes agent-based payments with an open, universal, and programmable protocol.
Open Protocol
Permissionless, standardized interface for agent payments
Agent Wallet
Verifiable identity & payment control for autonomous agents
Composable
Modular architecture that works with existing payment rails
Secure
Built-in security and compliance for agent-based transactions
High Performance
Designed for micro-transactions at AI speed and scale
Universal Access
Borderless protocol that works across currencies and regions
A standardized interface connecting AI agents to the global financial system, enabling seamless value transfer across ecosystems.
Open Standards
Universal API for agent-based transactions
Identity & Wallets
Secure agent identification and value storage
Execution Layer
High-speed transaction processing and settlement
Get Involved with a16Pay
Partner if you
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Build AI agents or automation tools
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Want agents to manage their own value and cash flows
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Are innovating in programmable finance, decentralized identity, or Web3
Unlock the Agent Economy by enabling agents to:
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Purchase APIs, services, or subscriptions
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Get paid for automated tasks
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Manage funds for users or other agents
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Execute full payment workflows independently
Contribute to a Trillion-Dollar Opportunity
Global digital payments market by 2030, creating unprecedented opportunities for AI-powered financial services
Projected AI-powered transactions, representing over $1.8 trillion in transaction volume that agents will facilitate
Join forces with our team bringing experience from Ant Group, McKinsey, IBM Research, Harvard, and leading financial institutions
Join the AI Payment Revolution
Be part of building the future where AI agents can autonomously participate in the global economy.