# Agent Payments Protocol

> An emerging protocol for agent-led payments that focuses on consent, identity, auditability, and transaction authorization.

- Category: Tools & Protocols
- Stage: Watch
- Also called: AP2, Agentic payments protocol
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agent-payments-protocol

## Plain English

It is a payment rulebook for when an approved agent is allowed to buy or get paid.

## Example

A buyer agent pays a supplier agent only after signed payment constraints and cart details match.

## Why it matters

Payments are where agent autonomy becomes financially consequential, so protocols need stronger proof than a chat transcript.

## Related

- [Mandate](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mandate)
- [Agentic Commerce](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agentic-commerce)
- [A2A](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/agent2agent)

## Sources

- [Agent Payments Protocol](https://agentpaymentsprotocol.info/docs/introduction/)