The Solana Foundation has partnered with Google Cloud to develop a new payments system for AI bots, called Pay.sh. Through the open standard, agents will now be able to discover, access and pay for API usage using stablecoins on Solana, according to an announcement on Tuesday.
Pay.sh is the latest crypto-native protocol built more for bots than people, as the so-called agentic economy blooms. There are multiple solutions built to give bots access to virtual Mastercard and Visa spending cards, including ones specifically for corporate expenses.
According to the announcement, this new system uses the x402 protocol — the open AI payments standard incubated by Coinbase — as a gateway service. It is also compatible with the similar Machine Payments Protocol (MPP), developed by Tempo and Stripe.
Users will be able to link Solana wallets to various AI platforms, including Google’s Gemini and public systems like Openclaw, and top up their balances using a credit card or stablecoins.
From there, agents with or without human oversight will be able to browse a marketplace of APIs to access services, without having to create an account or pay for a subscription.
Pay.sh runs an “API proxy” on Google Cloud Platform that sits between the AI agent and backend Google Cloud services, including BigQuery for data analysis, Gemini for LLM calls, and Cloud Run for container apps. The proxy authenticates and modifies an agent’s request before funneling it to the GCP backend, and adds payments via x402 or MPP, according to the announcement.
“Your agent’s Solana wallet acts as its identity with no need to create a Google account or manage rotating credentials,” the announcement notes. “No subscriptions. No minimum spend. Your agent consumes exactly what it needs, when it needs it, and nothing more.”
In addition to accessing “official Google Cloud APIs,” Pay.sh will connect to over 50 community API providers. This includes multiple communications platforms and e-commerce stores, as well as blockchain infrastructure providers like Helius and Alchemy and data services Dune Analytics and Nansen, among others.
A Solana Foundation rep noted that agents can tap five sources per query, “paying a fraction of a cent for each call” rather than paying for a full subscription. This also provides agents flexibility to “shop around,” rather than being locked into a single service provider, while comparing offerings in real time.
Last month, Coinbase unveiled a similar x402 app store for agents. Erik Reppel, a Coinbase engineer and creator of x402, noted at the time that while agentic commerce remains nascent, bots are already proving themselves to be a potential new business source for startups.
“There’s probably a very large latent demand for products that just wasn’t expressible because of how API keys, subscriptions and fees on microtransactions have worked,” Reppel said, noting AI agents now have backdoor access to online services.
This point was echoed by a Solana Foundation representative, who noted: “Your agent pays for what it uses. Rather than $29/month for an API that’s rarely used, agents can pay $0.005 when they actually need it.”
© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
