Monetizing an API or service typically requires account creation, subscription selection, and payment entry. These flows require human input, which blocks agents from completing tasks autonomously.
Machine payments let agents pay for APIs and services programmatically. Your server returns a payment challenge, the agent presents a valid payment credential, and Stripe settles the payment to your Stripe balance.
Machine payments on Stripe works best with the Machine Payments Protocol (MPP) that is able to accept card and stablecoin payments. Stripe also supports stablecoin payments over the x402 protocol.
Features
Integrating with Stripe means reconciliation, reporting, and the rest of your Stripe workflows continue to work as expected.
| Stripe payments | Payments land directly in your Stripe balance and settle in fiat. Metrics, reporting, and multi-currency payouts work the same as any other payment in Stripe. |
| Refunds | Refunds are available through the Refunds API and in the Dashboard. |
| Microtransactions | For card payments through Shared Payment Tokens (SPTs), the minimum amount is 0.50 USD. For stablecoin payments, the minimum amount is 0.01 USDC. |
| Stripe Connect | Machine payments are available for Connect platforms across all charge types. |
Availability
Accept payments from agents with a variety of payment methods, including cards through Shared Payment Tokens (SPTs) and stablecoin payments.
Accept card payments
MPP supports fiat payments using cards with SPTs, which are scoped grants that let an agent use a customer’s payment method, such as a card, through your Stripe profile. Each SPT includes usage and expiration limits.
SPTs are available to businesses in all US states. If your business operates outside the US, view all supported countries. You can accept SPTs in all Stripe-supported currencies, and issue them from the Link Agent Wallet.
Accept stablecoin payments
Stripe supports stablecoin payments on both MPP and x402 protocols across the following networks and currencies.
| Protocol | Network | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| MPP | Tempo | USDC.e |
| MPP | Solana | USDC |
| x402 | Base | USDC |
Stablecoin payments are available to businesses in all US states, except New York. For businesses operating outside of the US, email machine-payments@stripe.com with your Stripe account ID to request access to stablecoin payments in 30+ countries.
To enable the payment method:
- Enable the Stablecoins and Crypto payment method for your account in the Dashboard.
- Stripe reviews your access request and contacts you for more details if necessary. After we approve your request, the Stablecoins and Crypto payment method becomes active in the Dashboard.
Integration guides
Learn how to add machine payments to any API or service using MPP or x402.