Lightning Labs has unveiled an open-source toolkit that allows AI agents to use the Bitcoin Lightning Network, The Block reported on Feb. 12 local time.
The tool is designed to let AI agents carry out native Bitcoin payments directly without identity, API keys or sign-up procedures.
Based on the L402 protocol, the toolkit uses the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status code to support AI agents in automatically paying Lightning invoices and accessing resources through encrypted payment proofs. This enables automated payments without accounts, API keys or identity verification.
Lightning Labs sees the tool as core infrastructure for a “machine payments web” and expected it to solve small automated payment issues that traditional financial systems struggle to handle.
Besides Lightning Labs, Coinbase has also launched an “agentic wallet” and is building infrastructure that allows AI agents to make payments automatically, The Block reported.
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr