"Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said the open x402 protocol, built on HTTP 402, could enable AI agents to make autonomous stablecoin onchain payments for APIs and digital services and predicted agents will eventually far outnumber humans. If adopted, x402 could reshape crypto payments and DeFi access by enabling machine-to-machine settlement and challenging traditional card networks and CEX payment rails, but the protocol is nascent and requires developer and AI platform integration before meaningful adoption or market impact."