Blockworks

Google has released a new open-source payments protocol designed to let AI applications transfer money between each other, including through stablecoins, according to a report by Fortune on Tuesday.



The framework, which <a href="https://fortune.com/crypto/2025/09/16/google-ai-payments-protocol-stablecoins-coinbase-salesforece-ethereum-foundation/">extends</a> Google’s earlier standard for AI agent communication, supports both traditional methods like credit cards and emerging digital assets pegged to the US dollar. James Tromans, head of Web3 at Google Cloud, told Fortune that the system was built to integrate legacy payment rails alongside future-facing technologies such as stablecoins.



To develop stablecoin compatibility, Google collaborated with Coinbase, which has been building its own AI and crypto payments scheme, as well as the Ethereum Foundation and other industry players.



More than 60 organizations — including Salesforce, American Express, and Etsy — contributed to the broader initiative. Coinbase’s Erik Reppel noted that the companies ensured interoperability between their systems to enable smooth agent-to-agent value transfer.



The move underlines Google’s growing public stance on stablecoins, an area that has attracted attention from firms like Apple, Meta and Shopify. The adoption of lower-volatility blockchain assets marks a broader shift toward AI-driven commerce, where digital agents may negotiate payments and fees without direct human involvement.



While the protocol could lower frictions in AI-to-AI payments, risks remain around security, regulation, and unintended transfers. Stablecoins have been a flashpoint for U.S. regulators, though the landscape is shifting.



In April 2025, the SEC clarified that fully backed, redeemable stablecoins generally fall outside securities laws, and Congress passed the GENIUS Act in July to establish reserve and audit standards.



Against this backdrop, Google’s framework positions it as one of the first Big Tech firms to openly integrate stablecoins into core infrastructure, while peers like Apple and Meta have moved more cautiously.



This is a developing story.



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This article was generated with the assistance of AI and reviewed by editor&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jeffrey@blockworks.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeffrey Albus</a>&nbsp;before publication.



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Google announces AI payments protocol with stablecoin support: Reports

Ornella Hernandez

<div id="highlights-block_62a222e3952db" class="highlights">
 <ul>
 <li>Dubbed NFT Cloud, the software is designed to help companies make and manage NFTs</li>
 <li>The announcement marks Salesforce’s entrance into the Web3 market</li>
 </ul>
 
</div>



Cloud software company Salesforce <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/products/web3/nft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched</a> a pilot program for its corporate clients to create and trade NFTs.



Launched during the Salesforce Connections Conference in Chicago on Wednesday, the first version of NFT Cloud is available in a closed pilot. It will be available to the public later this year.



This product is Salesforce&#8217;s first foray into blockchain technology and is part of the company&#8217;s <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/salesforce-announces-new-customer-360-innovations-across-commerce-and-marketing-clouds-for-building-trusted-relationships-at-scale-301563604.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Commerce Cloud</a> suite, which enables customers to sell NFTs (non-fungible tokens) on the Salesforce Customer 360 Platform.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">Mint NFTs on Salesforce’s Platform: INTRODUCING SALESFORCE NFT CLOUD. Mint &amp; Sell NFTs on a trusted, sustainable platform. Launch your brand into new digital worlds. Link data, communities, and wallets. Deploy from secure, sustainable technology. ❤️🤖 <a href="https://t.co/wA7amzw55l">https://t.co/wA7amzw55l</a>&mdash; Marc Benioff (@Benioff) <a href="https://twitter.com/Benioff/status/1534543006660972547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The service targets consumer brands that want to offer their customers exclusive event access via NFTs, Adam Caplan, Salesforce’s senior vice president of emerging technology, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-08/salesforce-pilots-nft-marketplace-as-token-trading-is-down-90" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told Bloomberg</a>.



News of this service first surfaced in mid-February when around 400 Salesforce employees signed an internal petition raising concerns about the environmental impact and speculative nature of NFTs, Thomson Reuters Foundation News <a href="https://news.trust.org/item/20220218170402-ug6bk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.



The company now touts its commitment to sustainability on its website. NFT Cloud will automatically calculate carbon emissions of blockchain options, support only proof-of-stake <a href="https://cms.blockworks.co/proof-of-work-vs-proof-of-stake-whats-the-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">as opposed to</a> proof-of-work blockchains, and make it easy for users to offset their emissions through carbon credits.



Salesforce is also collaborating with organizations such as the Crypto Climate Accord, an environmental initiative that seeks to eliminate carbon emissions from the crypto industry by 2030.



As for security, the company stated that the pilot will offer audited smart contract templates for sellers and buyers, as well as fraud prevention tools, such as the ability to pause assets and wallets.



In an effort to provide a more secure checkout experience, customers can host branded marketplaces on their own site while Salesforce handles the backend and authentication.



Cybersecurity, scams and fraud in crypto were concerns brought up by Salesforce employees in February. The Federal Trade Commission has reported more than <a href="https://cms.blockworks.co/frauds-and-scams-top-1b-since-2021-ftc-says/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$1 billion in losses in crypto-related scams</a> since 2021.



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<ul class="wp-block-list">
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