Mastercard introduced Agent Pay for Machines (AP4M). This new service enables high-frequency, low-value transactions by artificial intelligence agents. AP4M provides infrastructure for AI-driven business models. Machines and software agents can buy and sell services programmatically at high speeds. The service extends Mastercard's Agent Pay program, launched in 2025.
The platform handles massive volumes of microtransactions. Some transactions are valued at fractions of a cent. It operates with low latency. AP4M provides credentialing for AI agents. Organizations can set spending controls. The service guarantees settlement across various payment types, including cards and stablecoins.
Mastercard enlisted over 30 partners to support adoption. These partners include traditional financial players and crypto-native companies. Coinbase, Ripple, and the Solana Foundation are among the partners.