Ant International has teamed up with Google to help shape a new way for AI agents to make payments safely, a step that could speed up the growth of autonomous commerce.
The Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) is an open system that sets out how AI agents can carry out transactions with a user’s approval.
It is designed to check user intent, make transactions easier to track, improve privacy and make it clear who is responsible for each step.
The protocol works with different payment types including cards, real-time bank transfers and stablecoins.
It also connects with Google’s Agent2Agent and Model Context systems.
In addition, Google has launched the A2A x402 extension to support crypto payments between AI agents.
Ant International said it will use its experience with alternative payment methods and its links to 36 digital wallets to help build AP2.
This includes making the checkout process smoother, using AI to block fraud and applying its payment mandate model to clearly link each transaction to a user’s verified intent for compliance and dispute resolution.
The company is testing how AP2 can work in real-world settings through Alipay+ Voyager, its AI travel service launched in July 2025.
Under the multi-agent model of Agent2Agent, Alipay+ Voyager will be able to coordinate bookings and payments across different sub-agents in line with AP2.
“Ant International is excited to partner with Google to advance standards-setting in agentic payments, leveraging our expertise in APM payments and trusted AI innovations.
We are committed to working with global partners to shape the future of agentic commerce, where AI agents serve as trusted assistants for discovery, engagement, and transactions, powering merchant growth and transforming consumer experience,”
said Jiangming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer of Ant International.
Mark Micallef, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Google Cloud, said,
“AP2 establishes the core building blocks for secure transactions that will drive further growth, creating clear opportunities for the industry—including networks, issuers, merchants, and end users—to innovate on adjacent areas like seamless agent authorisation.
We’re committed to evolving this protocol in an open, collaborative process and invite the entire payments and technology community to build this future with us.”
Google said more than 60 organisations are working on AP2, including payments networks, technology providers and financial institutions.
Among them are Adyen, American Express, Coinbase, Etsy, Forter, Intuit, JCB, Mastercard, Mysten Labs, PayPal, Revolut, Salesforce, ServiceNow, UnionPay International, Worldpay, and more.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik
