# x402 Foundation

**Type:** Organization  
**Status:** Active  
**Domain:** internet-finance  
**Founded:** April 2026  
**Governance:** Linux Foundation  

## Overview

The x402 Foundation governs the x402 protocol — an HTTP payment standard (named for HTTP status code 402 "Payment Required") designed to enable AI agents to autonomously transact for resources including compute, API calls, data access, and tools. The protocol enables AI agents to pay for web services on a per-request basis without human authorization.

## Governance Structure

The Linux Foundation was chosen as the governance body specifically to prevent corporate capture of the standard. The Linux Foundation only governs standards with broad industry adoption potential, making its involvement a legitimacy signal for x402 as foundational infrastructure.

## Backing

Coinbase funded the initial x402 implementation. The protocol is positioned to become infrastructure-layer standard for AI-native micropayments.

## Market Position

Solana has 49% market share of x402 micropayment infrastructure based on onchain data (SolanaFloor, April 2026), though questions exist about whether growth reflects organic demand or artificially stimulated activity.

## Timeline

- **2026-04-02** — Linux Foundation establishes x402 Foundation to govern AI agent payment protocol backed by Coinbase