What is Mastercard's Agent Pay for Machines platform?

Agent Pay for Machines is a new Mastercard platform that allows AI agents and software systems to make automated payments. The service supports cards, bank accounts and stablecoins while providing identity verification, spending controls and settlement through Mastercard's network.

Why is Mastercard investing in AI-powered payments?

Mastercard believes AI agents will increasingly perform tasks, purchase services and manage transactions on behalf of users and businesses. The company wants its payment infrastructure to become a core layer of this emerging AI-driven economy.

What problem is Mastercard trying to solve with Agent Pay for Machines?

The platform is designed to address trust and security challenges in machine-to-machine commerce. It helps verify that AI agents are authorised to make payments, operate within approved spending limits and transact with legitimate counterparties.

How do AI agents use Mastercard's payment network?

AI agents can initiate transactions using traditional payment methods such as cards and bank accounts as well as stablecoins. Mastercard handles authentication, permissions and settlement, allowing transactions to be completed within a regulated payments framework.

Why are stablecoins included in the platform?

Stablecoins can provide fast, programmable payment rails for automated transactions. By supporting stablecoins alongside traditional payment methods, Mastercard is giving AI systems greater flexibility when making digital payments.

Which crypto networks are involved in the project?

Mastercard said agent credentials and permissions will initially be recorded on the Polygon, Solana and Base blockchains. These networks will help manage the identity and authorisation framework for participating AI agents.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

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Written by Brie CarterPublished Jun 11, 2026, 12:45 AM

Mastercard has unveiled Agent Pay for Machines, a new platform designed to enable AI agents and software systems to make secure automated payments as the company positions itself for the growth of AI-driven commerce.

The service allows AI agents to transact using cards, bank accounts and stablecoins while providing identity verification, spending controls and guaranteed settlement through Mastercard’s global payments network.

“We are already seeing a number of services and agents popping up to provide a range of products and services,”

Said Mastercard Executive Vice President of Blockchain and Digital Asset Products and Partnerships Raj Dhamodharan.

Mastercard said the platform addresses trust and security challenges in agentic commerce by authenticating AI agents, enforcing spending permissions and ensuring counterparties receive payment through established settlement infrastructure.

More than 30 companies have joined the initiative, including Coinbase, Stripe, Adyen, Checkout.com, Cloudflare, RippleX, Polygon Labs, Solana Foundation and OKX, reflecting growing interest in machine-to-machine payment systems.

Agent permissions and credentials will initially be recorded on the Polygon, Solana and Base blockchains, with broader access to the platform expected later this year.

“There are already transactions happening,”

Dhamodharan said, adding:

“There are already many declines happening because there is no payment option available. That is a leading indicator in our view.”

The launch highlights Mastercard’s effort to position its payments infrastructure at the centre of a potential new digital economy where AI agents autonomously purchase services, complete tasks and coordinate transactions on behalf of users and businesses.

At the time of reporting, Solana price was $63.48.

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