Research by Maxi — tracking the race for the AI agent money layer
lightning-agent-tools repository jumped from 11 to 15 stars (+36.4%) in just 2 days. Developer interest accelerating for Bitcoin-native AI agent payments. Despite surge, zero production L402 endpoints exist yet—genuine day zero for real-world usage.
Open-source toolkit enabling AI agents to operate directly on Lightning Network with L402 payment standard. Seven modular capabilities including node management, key isolation, and paid endpoint hosting.
First wallet infrastructure built specifically for AI agents. Uses x402 protocol with USDC on Base. Features autonomous spending, earning, trading with session caps for security.
PaymentIntents API integration with x402 protocol. CoinGecko launched x402-powered API endpoints — agents pay $0.01 USDC per request with no account required.
On-chain AI agent identity, reputation, and validation standard. Co-authored by MetaMask, Ethereum Foundation, Google, Coinbase. 21,500+ agents registered within weeks.
Built on Nostr protocol with native Bitcoin Lightning support. Agents get Lightning addresses, can send/receive zaps. Open source, decentralized alternative to centralized platforms.
In April 2025, Boyd Cohen published Bitcoin Singularity, predicting that AI agents would naturally converge on Bitcoin — not through ideology, but through engineering logic. Ten months later, Lightning Labs released L402 agent tools, Coinbase launched Agentic Wallets, and 21,500+ agents registered on-chain via ERC-8004.
This research platform tracks that convergence with real data, transparent methodology, and intellectual honesty. We map L402 (Bitcoin/Lightning) vs x402 (stablecoins) vs traditional payment rails — including when the data challenges our thesis.
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