Block joins x402 Foundation, adds Bitcoin Lightning support for AI agent payments

Block has joined the x402 Foundation and will add Bitcoin Lightning Network support to x402, an open payment standard for AI agents, BitcoinNews reported. x402 is designed to embed payment functions directly into HTTP so AI agents can autonomously pay for goods, services and agent-focused tools without human intervention. Block said the growing agent economy is expected to generate billions of instant, low-cost micropayments and the Lightning Network is well suited to handling that demand.