XDC launches XDC AI to enable AI agents to pay

XDC Network launched XDC AI, a payments infrastructure that combines the x402 payment standard with gasless USDC settlement so autonomous AI agents can pay for services per request without accounts, API keys or human sign-off. The system was demonstrated at a New York event attended by more than 100 bankers, technology partners, venture investors and AI firms.

The x402 standard, introduced in 2025, revives the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” code. In an x402 exchange a server can charge for an API call or a piece of data and accept settlement in stablecoins within the same request.

XDC AI pairs x402 with gasless USDC settlement, which routes network fees away from end users. XDC Tech integrated Bridge, a payments firm owned by Stripe, to provide stablecoin settlement aimed at enterprise compliance and faster onboarding.

Company executives say the product addresses the gap between AI systems that recommend actions and systems that can execute payments. Atul Khekade, co-founder, cited the absence of “real-time settlement… compliance, dispute resolution, KYC, AML, and that exact trust layer which AI needs.”

Ritesh Kakkad, co-founder, described the pairing as “building the actual rails,” adding that it enables agents to “autonomously pay per API call, book services, and settle trades in real-time at sub-cent fees.”

The company framed XDC AI as shared infrastructure. Developers can plug services into a common marketplace and connect through the network’s MCP connector API so an assistant can move from recommendation to transaction.

Demonstrations showed consumer examples such as ordering a coffee or booking tickets. XDC says the same framework can apply to delivery services, travel bookings and other commerce use cases.

XDC positions compliance and risk controls as part of the product. The platform includes features for dispute resolution, identity checks and programmatic spending limits intended to meet enterprise requirements.

XDC Network launched in 2019 by XinFin. The EVM-compatible Layer-1 aligns with ISO 20022 messaging used in traditional banking and has focused on trade finance, payments and tokenized real-world assets.

Market data cited by the company projects the AI agent market to grow from $7.38 billion in 2023 to about $47 billion by 2030. Industry observers note payments infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for autonomous agent transactions remain nascent, and security, privacy and control mechanisms are still being developed.

Company materials describe a phased rollout that prioritizes enterprise compliance and low-cost, real-time settlement as XDC seeks wider adoption by banks, service providers and AI platforms.