My agent is now paying for its own data. No API key. No account. No credit card.
Check the video I recorded.
This uses the x402 open protocol built by Coinbase, along with a simple skill. This is an open protocol governed by the Linux Foundation.
To complete a goal, an agent can now search for an actor on the Apify Store, pay for it, and use it without any human intervention.
The way it works is pretty simple:
1. Your agent finds an Actor it wants to use 2. It sends a request 3. The Actor sends back an HTTP 402 "Payment Required" response 4. Agent authorizes payment from a wallet in USDC on Base 5. The Actor runs 6. User receives the result
The model is pay-as-you-go: the agent authorizes a spending ceiling, pays only for usage, and the remaining balance is automatically settled.
This brings an entire marketplace of AI tools into the agentic economy.
Here is the skill you need. Add it to your agent, and it will take care of everything for you:
http://apify.it/4wgIXMO
If you want to know how this works, including what you can do with $1, read this post:
https://apify.it/4xVkQVs
Thanks to the Apify team for partnering with me on this post.
