Coinbase just launched a new internet standard for payments, and it could increase demand for Ethereum

May 16, 2025

Coinbase has introduced a new payment tool called x402 that could reshape how crypto is used online, and it’s a promising development for investors. By enabling instant, automated payments using stablecoins like USDC over standard web protocols (HTTP), x402 makes crypto payments as seamless as browsing the web. The main advantage of stablecoins is that they’re pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar, offering price stability. This allows users to make smooth and consistent transactions without fearing crypto market volatility.

More transactions mean more blockchain demand

This is exciting news for investors as x402 makes it easy for apps, websites, and even AI tools to instantly pay for services using stablecoins like USDC, directly over the internet. Imagine a “Pay Now” button built into every online interaction.

More payments mean more activity on public blockchains like Ethereum or Coinbase’s Base. As usage rises, so does the demand for tokens like Ether (ETH), which are used to cover gas fees. In short, x402 could help drive adoption and fuel long-term demand for Ethereum, and that’s great news for investors.

Here’s an example: If a news site charges $0.10 per article via x402, millions of tiny payments flow through blockchain networks like Ethereum daily. These frequent payments generate consistent transaction fees, increasing usage, and in turn, driving up the value of the blockchain networks.

Stablecoin is becoming the internet's default currency

x402 is designed specifically for stablecoins, helping to establish them as the "dollars of the internet." The successful implementation of x402 could catalyze widespread stablecoin adoption, driving increased usage of its underlying public blockchain settlement layer and spurring demand for native tokens like Ether required to process transactions and secure these networks.

^Source:^Visa^,^Ycharts

When compared to Visa, stablecoin transfer volumes have steadily grown over the years, showing strong adoption and increased usage.

AI agents will drive mass crypto adoption

Another powerful feature of x402 is its ability to let AI agents pay for services independently without the need for a human. Imagine an AI tool purchasing data, cloud services, or API access in real time.

This opens the door for AI to become one of the largest users of blockchain networks, generating millions of microtransactions every day. As demand for these transactions rises, so does the value of the blockchain’s native tokens, creating a significant new revenue stream for public networks.

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