Why AI Agents Still Won't Pay for Anything — Jan Curn, Apify

Hello everyone. Hello everyone. Welcome to my session Welcome to my session , and today I'm , and today I'm , and today I'm going to talk about going to talk about going to talk about agency payments, agency payments, agency payments, specifically a specifically a specifically a hot topic hot topic hot topic since we have all the since we have all the since we have all the patent patent patent payment protocols. So the main payment protocols. So the main payment protocols. So the main question is: why question is: why question is: why doesn't anyone use them? doesn't anyone use them? doesn't anyone use them? Why...why don't agents Why...why don't agents Why...why don't agents pay? And before I pay? And before I pay? And before I start, a quick introduction start, a quick introduction : at API, we run : at API, we run : at API, we run a marketplace of a marketplace of a marketplace of AI tools. AI tools. AI tools. We call these We call these We call these tools " tools " actors"; We have actors"; We have actors"; We have about 80,000 of them, and they about 80,000 of them, and they about 80,000 of them, and they cover cover cover use cases such use cases such as data extraction as data extraction as data extraction from social from social from social media sites, e- media sites, e- media sites, e- commerce, commerce, commerce, hospitality, travel, hospitality, travel, hospitality, travel, search engines, and search engines, and automation in general. automation in general. Essentially, they Essentially, they Essentially, they help you help you help you automate your automate your automate your online work, and online work, and online work, and these actors these actors these actors are created by a are created by a are created by a global global global community of creators. And community of creators. And community of creators. And they, they, they they, they, they they, they, they create them, create them, create them, publish them in our publish them in our publish them in our store, and we store, and we store, and we sell them to sell them to sell them to users, to users, to users, to customers. And just customers. And just customers. And just last month, we last month, we last month, we paid almost paid almost paid almost $2 million to $2 million to $2 million to creators for their creators for their creators for their actors, right? actors, right? actors, right? So it's like a moving So it's like a moving So it's like a moving two-way market. two-way market. two-way market. So obviously, I think So obviously, I think you can you can you can see now why we're see now why we're see now why we're so interested in so interested in so interested in magic payments, magic payments, magic payments, because for us, it's just because for us, it's just because for us, it's just another way that we another way that we another way that we can sell can sell can sell our actors, our our actors, our our actors, our tools, and our tools, and our tools, and our creators to more creators to more creators to more people and people and people and agents, right? And, agents, right? And, agents, right? And, uh, so obviously, uh, so obviously, uh, so obviously, whenever there whenever there whenever there was a new, uh, was a new, uh, was a new, uh, way to integrate way to integrate way to integrate our system, our our system, our our system, our platform, our platform, our platform, our marketplace to allow marketplace to allow marketplace to allow agents to buy these agents to buy these agents to buy these tools, we were tools, we were

quick to add those quick to add those things. So, uh, things. So, uh, things. So, uh, actually, uh, actually, uh, actually, uh, last year, uh, at the last year, uh, at the AI ​​Engineer World Fair in San Francisco, I was the Francisco, I was the Francisco, I was the only one who spoke only one who spoke only one who spoke on this topic, on the topic of on this topic, on the topic of on this topic, on the topic of Asian payments Asian payments Asian payments and, uh, the agent and, uh, the agent and, uh, the agent economy in a economy in a economy in a broader sense, broader sense, broader sense, because back then it wasn't because back then it wasn't because back then it wasn't really, you know, really, you know, really, you know, well known, uh; not well known, uh; not well known, uh; not many people many people many people talked about it. And I talked about it. And I talked about it. And I think in the last think in the last think in the last year and a half, uh, there's year and a half, uh, there's year and a half, uh, there's been a lot of been a lot of been a lot of progress, right? progress, right? progress, right? So, uh, this year, uh So, uh, this year, uh , at the , at the , at the AI ​​Engineer World Fair in San AI ​​Engineer World Fair in San Francisco, there was a Francisco, there was a Francisco, there was a special, uh, track special, uh, track , uh, for agency , uh, for agency , uh, for agency payments. And so, payments. And so, payments. And so, you know, over the last you know, over the last you know, over the last year, I think everyone has year, I think everyone has year, I think everyone has realized that Asians are realized that Asians are actually going to actually going to need a budget to do increasingly long-term tasks, need a budget to do increasingly long-term tasks, need a budget to do increasingly long-term tasks, because at some point because at some point because at some point they're going to ask you they're going to ask you they're going to ask you to approve something and so on. And to approve something and so on. And to approve something and so on. And if you want if you want if you want them to be them to be them to be autonomous and autonomous and autonomous and actually do actually do actually do bigger tasks, you bigger tasks, you bigger tasks, you may need to may need to may need to give them money, and there has give them money, and there has been tremendous progress in this area in the last year and a half been tremendous progress in this area in the last year and a half . . . So, I think Guard So, I think Guard So, I think Guard is predicting that by is predicting that by is predicting that by 2028, it will be a 2028, it will be a $15 trillion economy, and $15 trillion economy, and that 80% of B2B activity between that 80% of B2B activity between that 80% of B2B activity between companies will be companies will be companies will be done done done autonomously through autonomously through autonomously through agents. I agents. I agents. I mean, it might be a mean, it might be a mean, it might be a bit too much, but bit too much, but bit too much, but we'll see. But in we'll see. But in any case, a any case, a any case, a lot of players in the lot of players in the lot of players in the financial sector and the financial sector and the fintech financial sector have joined fintech financial sector have joined this bandwagon because this bandwagon because this bandwagon because they understood the scale of they understood the scale of they understood the scale of this opportunity. So this opportunity. So , over the last year and a half, , over the last year and a half, , over the last year and a half, we've seen we've seen we've seen a lot of a lot of a lot of different, uh, different, uh, different, uh, tools and tools and tools and payment standards emerge

payment standards emerge . It all started with the L42 from . It all started with the L42 from . It all started with the L42 from Lightning Labs. It was Lightning Labs. It was Lightning Labs. It was mid-2020, it mid-2020, it mid-2020, it was very early, and was very early, and was very early, and last year in last year in last year in April, Mastercard's agent payments came out April, Mastercard's agent payments came out , then in May , then in May 2025, X42 from Coinbase. This is 2025, X42 from Coinbase. This is probably probably probably the most popular the most popular the most popular agency agency agency payment standard at the payment standard at the payment standard at the moment. moment. moment. Last June, uh, KYA Last June, uh, KYA Last June, uh, KYA pay, uh, Skyfire from Visa. Uh, pay, uh, Skyfire from Visa. Uh, pay, uh, Skyfire from Visa. Uh, we have, uh, Asian Payments we have, uh, Asian Payments we have, uh, Asian Payments Protocol, AP2, from Google. Protocol, AP2, from Google. Protocol, AP2, from Google. Then the Agent E-commerce Protocol, Then the Agent E-commerce Protocol, Then the Agent E-commerce Protocol, ACP, from OpenAI and Stripe in ACP, from OpenAI and Stripe in ACP, from OpenAI and Stripe in September last September last September last year. Uh, in October, year. Uh, in October, year. Uh, in October, Trusted Agents Protocol, TAP, from Trusted Agents Protocol, TAP, from Trusted Agents Protocol, TAP, from Visa. Uh, in January, Universal Visa. Uh, in January, Universal Visa. Uh, in January, Universal Commerce Protocol, Universal Commerce Commerce Protocol, Universal Commerce Commerce Protocol, Universal Commerce Protocol, UCP, from Google and Protocol, UCP, from Google and Protocol, UCP, from Google and Shopify. There is even more Shopify. There is even more Shopify. There is even more agent commerce: agent commerce: agent commerce: Agent E-commerce Trust Protocol, ACTP, Agent E-commerce Trust Protocol, ACTP, Agent E-commerce Trust Protocol, ACTP, from Alipe; uh, Machine Payments from Alipe; uh, Machine Payments from Alipe; uh, Machine Payments Protocol, MPP, from Stripe and Protocol, MPP, from Stripe and Protocol, MPP, from Stripe and Temple. Uh, this is from the beginning of Temple. Uh, this is from the beginning of Temple. Uh, this is from the beginning of this year. And, uh, since this year. And, uh, since this year. And, uh, since April, Asian mobile protocol, April, Asian mobile protocol, April, Asian mobile protocol, MMP, AM from Alipe. And, uh, MMP, AM from Alipe. And, uh, MMP, AM from Alipe. And, uh, last but not last but not last but not least: Asentic Payment Open least: Asentic Payment Open least: Asentic Payment Open Protocol, APOP by Union Pay. Oh, Protocol, APOP by Union Pay. Oh, Protocol, APOP by Union Pay. Oh, that's not all. Uh, OKX, that's not all. Uh, OKX, OKX's agent payment protocol. So OKX's agent payment protocol. So you can see that you can see that you can see that this has become a hot this has become a hot this has become a hot battleground for the battleground for the battleground for the future of future of future of agent e-commerce agent e-commerce agent e-commerce because all of these players because all of these players because all of these players understand that agents are understand that agents are going to pay at some point, and these going to pay at some point, and these companies really companies really companies really want to be a part of want to be a part of want to be a part of this new this new this new future, and, uh, future, and, uh, future, and, uh, preferably preferably preferably leverage

leverage leverage their networks and their networks and their networks and existing existing existing infrastructure to do so. Oh, infrastructure to do so. Oh, infrastructure to do so. Oh, another agent another agent another agent payment machine payment machine payment machine from Mastercard. So, there are a from Mastercard. So, there are a from Mastercard. So, there are a lot of players, and it's lot of players, and it's lot of players, and it's very difficult very difficult very difficult to keep track of all the to keep track of all the to keep track of all the new standards that are new standards that are new standards that are emerging now. Uh emerging now. Uh , and I think this whole , and I think this whole , and I think this whole agency business agency business agency business has become huge, uh, has become huge, uh, huge, uh, well, huge, uh, well, big news for big news for big news for cryptocurrencies because cryptocurrencies because cryptocurrencies because finally, uh, it seems like finally, uh, it seems like there's a real there's a real there's a real use case that use case that they've been they've been they've been waiting for, you know, for waiting for, you know, for waiting for, you know, for cryptocurrencies, other than, cryptocurrencies, other than, cryptocurrencies, other than, uh, buying uh, buying uh, buying illegal substances illegal substances illegal substances and hiding and hiding and hiding money from your money from your money from your spouse. And I spouse. And I spouse. And I actually think that, actually think that, actually think that, like, I'm not a like, I'm not a like, I'm not a crypto lover myself, I'm crypto lover myself, I'm crypto lover myself, I'm not hiding anything, I do not hiding anything, I do not hiding anything, I do n't own any n't own any n't own any cryptocurrency, but, uh cryptocurrency, but, uh , I think that , I think that , I think that cryptocurrency cryptocurrency cryptocurrency actually has a very, actually has a very, actually has a very, very good very good very good chance, uh, of chance, uh, of chance, uh, of winning this winning this winning this agency fee war agency fee war agency fee war because, uh, because, uh, because, uh, cryptocurrency, like, cryptocurrency, like, cryptocurrency, like, if done if done if done right, it doesn't have a right, it doesn't have a right, it doesn't have a single owner, single owner, single owner, there's no one there's no one there's no one company that company that company that controls the ecosystem controls the ecosystem , right? And, you have, and, , right? And, you have, and, , right? And, you have, and, uh, it has uh, it has uh, it has properties that properties that properties that make it very make it very make it very useful for useful for useful for agency payments.

agency payments. agency payments. So if you So if you compare compare cryptocurrency, for example, to cryptocurrency, for example, to cryptocurrency, for example, to credit cards, credit cards, credit cards, PayPal or PayPal or PayPal or PayPal micropayments, PayPal micropayments, PayPal micropayments, or, you know, or, you know, or, you know, bank debit, bank debit, bank debit, it's much cheaper, it's much cheaper, it's much cheaper, you just can't you just can't use these use these traditional traditional traditional payment methods for small payment methods for small payment methods for small agency agency agency transactions. It simply does transactions. It simply does transactions. It simply does n't make economic n't make economic n't make economic sense. And also, uh, sense. And also, uh, sense. And also, uh, traditional traditional traditional payment methods, uh, also payment methods, uh, also payment methods, uh, also have have have chargebacks, and anyone who chargebacks, and anyone who chargebacks, and anyone who sells online sells online sells online understands that, uh, you understands that, uh, you understands that, uh, you have to consider have to consider have to consider that some people that some people that some people will just abuse will just abuse will just abuse your services and your services and your services and then demand a then demand a then demand a refund, and that's refund, and that's refund, and that's just, you know, a just, you know, a just, you know, a way of life for an way of life for an way of life for an online business. But online business. But online business. But you can't do you can't do you can't do that in the agency that in the agency that in the agency world because there are an world because there are an world because there are an infinite infinite infinite number of agents and number of agents and number of agents and they just want to they just want to they just want to steal all your steal all your steal all your money or take money or take money or take your services your services your services for free. So, uh, for free. So, uh, for free. So, uh, there are no chargebacks in cryptocurrency there are no chargebacks in cryptocurrency there are no chargebacks in cryptocurrency , , , only only only refunds, but they are refunds, but they are refunds, but they are optional for optional for optional for sellers. So I sellers. So I sellers. So I think think think cryptocurrency is really cryptocurrency is really cryptocurrency is really well suited for well suited for well suited for agency payments, agency payments, agency payments, and that's, uh, a bright and that's, uh, a bright and that's, uh, a bright future for you. And future for you. And future for you. And actually the two, actually the two, actually the two, sorry, two of the sorry, two of the sorry, two of the biggest players, biggest players, uh, or the two uh, or the two uh, or the two most popular most popular most popular agent agent agent payment standards that are currently being payment standards that are currently being payment standards that are currently being explored, Coinbase and explored, Coinbase and explored, Coinbase and Stripe, uh, mpp, uh, on stable Stripe, uh, mpp, uh, on stable Stripe, uh, mpp, uh, on stable coin pass, are actually coin pass, are actually coin pass, are actually similar to similar to similar to using using using cryptocurrency, right cryptocurrency, right cryptocurrency, right ? And this is not surprising, so ? And this is not surprising, so ? And this is not surprising, so let's look let's look let's look at the implementation of these at the implementation of these at the implementation of these two systems in the two systems in the two systems in the real world. This is from real world. This is from real world. This is from the websites X42 scan and MPPP the websites X42 scan and MPPP the websites X42 scan and MPPP scan, which basically scan, which basically scan, which basically track track track transactions on the

transactions on the transactions on the blockchain. And you blockchain. And you blockchain. And you can see that in the can see that in the can see that in the last 30 days, uh, in the last 30 days, uh, in the last 30 days, uh, in the last 30 days, uh, on last 30 days, uh, on last 30 days, uh, on X42, the payment volume X42, the payment volume X42, the payment volume was only was only was only about $1 million about $1 million about $1 million , and on MPP, only , and on MPP, only , and on MPP, only about $1.5 thousand. about $1.5 thousand. about $1.5 thousand. I mean, it's I mean, it's I mean, it's practically nothing. Uh, practically nothing. Uh, practically nothing. Uh, it's like it doesn't exist. So it's like it doesn't exist. So it's like it doesn't exist. So the question is, where is everyone the question is, where is everyone ? Why doesn't anyone ? Why doesn't anyone ? Why doesn't anyone use this? It's been use this? It's been use this? It's been over a year and a half over a year and a half over a year and a half , uh, since , uh, since , uh, since agency payments agency payments agency payments became a reality, but became a reality, but became a reality, but agents still aren't agents still aren't agents still aren't using them. So using them. So using them. So let's try to let's try to let's try to find the answer to find the answer to find the answer to this question. So, this question. So, firstly, there may be a firstly, there may be a firstly, there may be a low supply of low supply of low supply of services. Maybe there services. Maybe there services. Maybe there just aren't just aren't just aren't many things for agents to many things for agents to many things for agents to buy buy buy autonomously. Well, I don't autonomously. Well, I don't autonomously. Well, I don't think so, because think so, because think so, because if you look at if you look at if you look at these these these agency fee directories, there are agency fee directories, there are a lot of services out there, and I would a lot of services out there, and I would say our say our say our company, Exa, Perplexity, and company, Exa, Perplexity, and company, Exa, Perplexity, and Farcru–they're all there, and I would Farcru–they're all there, and I would Farcru–they're all there, and I would say that we collectively say that we collectively say that we collectively make a lot make a lot make a lot more, you know, than a more, you know, than a more, you know, than a million dollars a million dollars a million dollars a month from agents month from agents month from agents using using using our services, our services, our services, right? So it's clear right? So it's clear right? So it's clear that agents that agents that agents are using these are using these are using these tools, paying tools, paying tools, paying a lot more for it a lot more for it , but through API keys, , but through API keys, , but through API keys, not through autonomous not through autonomous not through autonomous discovery and payment.

discovery and payment. discovery and payment. So it must be demand, So it must be demand, So it must be demand, right? So it's right? So it's right? So it's obvious that agents are obvious that agents are obvious that agents are simply not simply not simply not interested, they're not interested, they're not interested, they're not buying the services. So buying the services. So buying the services. So let's try let's try let's try to understand why, to understand why, to understand why, okay? And I think the okay? And I think the okay? And I think the best way to best way to best way to do that is do that is to think of payments to think of payments to think of payments as a sales funnel. So it as a sales funnel. So it as a sales funnel. So it all starts with a all starts with a all starts with a need. So need. So need. So first you, as an first you, as an first you, as an external participant in the external participant in the external participant in the system or the creator of the system or the creator of the system or the creator of the agent, need to have a agent, need to have a agent, need to have a need, like, need, like, need, like, okay, because otherwise you would okay, because otherwise you would okay, because otherwise you would n't allow it n't allow it n't allow it or configure or configure or configure it, and then you it, and then you it, and then you need to configure it somehow, need to configure it somehow, need to configure it somehow, and once and once and once that's done, once that's done, once that's done, once that's that's that's done, agents done, agents done, agents need some need some need some way to find way to find way to find services and eventually services and eventually services and eventually buy them, right? And buy them, right? And buy them, right? And I would say that at I would say that at I would say that at every step of that every step of that every step of that funnel, we have some funnel, we have some funnel, we have some friction points that friction points that friction points that ultimately lead ultimately lead ultimately lead to to to agents like that not buying, um, agents like that not buying, um, agents like that not buying, um, at the end of the funnel. So at the end of the funnel. So at the end of the funnel. So let's try let's try let's try to look at this in more to look at this in more to look at this in more detail. So, detail. So, first, the need, well, first, the need, well, first, the need, well, most people most people most people now create now create now create agent systems, uh, agent systems, uh, agent systems, uh, and they give them and they give them and they give them access to services. access to services. access to services. But they, they, they, But they, they, they, But they, they, they, they do it through they do it through they do it through fixed, uh, fixed, uh, fixed, uh, accounts or, accounts or, accounts or, you know, you know, you know, accounts with accounts with accounts with registration, uh; they registration, uh; they registration, uh; they register earlier register earlier register earlier and through API keys, and through API keys, and through API keys, right? So you just, right? So you just, right? So you just, like, I don't know, you like, I don't know, you like, I don't know, you have an agent, and if you have an agent, and if you have an agent, and if you need to give them need to give them need to give them access to web data, access to web data, access to web data, you just create you just create you just create an account on AIfy an account on AIfy an account on AIfy and, like, then, like, and, like, then, like, and, like, then, like, put an API key in put an API key in put an API key in your cloud or, your cloud or, your cloud or, you know, through the MCP to you know, through the MCP to you know, through the MCP to connect to the connect to the connect to the services, and then you services, and then you services, and then you pay for the pay for the services through your services through your credit card, right?

credit card, right? credit card, right? It's pretty simple. It's pretty simple. It's pretty simple. Anyone can do it Anyone can do it , right? So it's , right? So it's , right? So it's not really like not really like not really like agency payments agency payments agency payments compete with Visa. They compete with Visa. They compete with Visa. They compete with compete with compete with API keys because it's simply a more API keys because it's simply a more API keys because it's simply a more convenient way. So convenient way. So convenient way. So what needs to happen for what needs to happen for what needs to happen for agents or people to really agents or people to really , like, decide, " , like, decide, " Okay, I want Okay, I want Okay, I want my agent to not my agent to not my agent to not just use a just use a just use a fixed set of fixed set of fixed set of services that I, you services that I, you services that I, you know, provided them with know, provided them with know, provided them with before, but, like, I before, but, like, I before, but, like, I want my agent to want my agent to want my agent to also discover also discover also discover new services as they new services as they new services as they go along and go along and go along and buy them on buy them on buy them on their own," right? So their own," right? So their own," right? So I think there I think there I think there are several prerequisites for this. are several prerequisites for this. are several prerequisites for this. Firstly, these are better Firstly, these are better Firstly, these are better models. What I mean is models. What I mean is that as models that as models that as models improve, improve, improve, agents can agents can agents can perform each perform each perform each longer task longer task longer task autonomously; you autonomously; you autonomously; you trust them more, trust them more, trust them more, etc. So it's kind of a etc. So it's kind of a etc. So it's kind of a natural natural natural progression, and I progression, and I progression, and I think that over time, uh, think that over time, uh, think that over time, uh, models, if they models, if they models, if they don't already have it, don't already have it, don't already have it, will be will be will be trustworthy, with trustworthy, with trustworthy, with money too. And I think money too. And I think money too. And I think you can start by you can start by you can start by giving them, I don't giving them, I don't giving them, I don't know, $5 for a know, $5 for a know, $5 for a job, and then 50, and job, and then 50, and job, and then 50, and if you know it if you know it if you know it works, you can works, you can works, you can do 500. And I would do 500. And I would do 500. And I would say that people already say that people already say that people already trust agents, trust agents, uh, access to their uh, access to their uh, access to their systems, uh, even the systems, uh, even the systems, uh, even the right access, right access, right access, quite often, and sometimes, quite often, and sometimes, quite often, and sometimes, uh, it leads to uh, it leads to uh, it leads to disasters or, you know disasters or, you know , data leaks.

, data leaks. , data leaks. It's It's It's safer with money. I safer with money. I safer with money. I mean, for example, mean, for example, mean, for example, if you lose if you lose if you lose $50, that's sad, but $50, that's sad, but $50, that's sad, but it's not a disaster like it's not a disaster like it's not a disaster like you have, unless someone you have, unless someone you have, unless someone posts your posts your posts your email, which is email, which is email, which is much worse. So, much worse. So, much worse. So, I think it's already I think it's already I think it's already progressing, the models progressing, the models progressing, the models are getting better, and are getting better, and are getting better, and people will have more people will have more people will have more trust in them to trust in them to trust in them to buy services. But buy services. But buy services. But I think the big I think the big I think the big unblocker unblocker unblocker will come with the always- will come with the always- will come with the always- available agents available agents available agents that we've seen, that we've seen, that we've seen, like with Metamuse, like with Metamuse, like with Metamuse, you know, Open Eye Dot, etc. I you know, Open Eye Dot, etc. I you know, Open Eye Dot, etc. I think personal, think personal, think personal, always-on always-on always-on agents are becoming agents are becoming agents are becoming a reality, and if you a reality, and if you a reality, and if you want those agents to want those agents to want those agents to actually do anything, actually do anything, actually do anything, you're going to end up giving them a you're going to end up giving them a you're going to end up giving them a budget. So I think budget. So I think budget. So I think we are reaching we are reaching we are reaching that stage as well. And I that stage as well. And I that stage as well. And I think the think the think the end of the end of the end of the token subsidy era will also help a lot. token subsidy era will also help a lot. token subsidy era will also help a lot. Now for $100 a Now for $100 a Now for $100 a month on Claude you month on Claude you month on Claude you can buy tokens can buy tokens can buy tokens worth, I don't know, worth, I don't know, worth, I don't know, about about about $14,000 if you $14,000 if you $14,000 if you spend the maximum. spend the maximum. spend the maximum. This is crazy because This is crazy because This is crazy because then agents have no then agents have no then agents have no incentive incentive to look for existing to look for existing services, since services, since services, since they can they can they can create create create anything from scratch because it anything from scratch because it anything from scratch because it costs nothing. But costs nothing. But costs nothing. But I think at some I think at some I think at some point it point it point it will end, maybe will end, maybe will end, maybe with an open AAI rather than an with an open AAI rather than an with an open AAI rather than an entropic IPO, and entropic IPO, and entropic IPO, and suddenly agents will be okay, suddenly agents will be okay, suddenly agents will be okay, maybe it maybe it maybe it will be more economical for me will be more economical for me will be more economical for me to buy the to buy the to buy the service than service than service than to build it from scratch to build it from scratch to build it from scratch or find a way to or find a way to or find a way to implement it. So I implement it. So I implement it. So I think it's kind of like think it's kind of like think it's kind of like the unlocking is the unlocking is the unlocking is already happening, and already happening, and already happening, and then the second step is the then the second step is the sales funnel sales funnel sales funnel is set up. Okay, I is set up. Okay, I is set up. Okay, I want to use want to use want to use this now. How do I this now. How do I this now. How do I do this? I think that do this? I think that do this? I think that for many people, for many people, for many people, cryptocurrency is still cryptocurrency is still cryptocurrency is still quite opaque.

quite opaque. quite opaque. You know, there are a lot of You know, there are a lot of You know, there are a lot of different terms, there are different terms, there are different terms, there are different words and, different words and, different words and, you know, terms. And, I would you know, terms. And, I would you know, terms. And, I would say, most say, most say, most people, uh, have people, uh, have people, uh, have n't really tried n't really tried to set up a to set up a crypto wallet on their own, uh. crypto wallet on their own, uh. crypto wallet on their own, uh. Maybe they Maybe they Maybe they use something use something use something like Coinbase for like Coinbase for like Coinbase for trading, but trading, but trading, but really, if their really, if their really, if their Asian Asian Asian crypto wallet, crypto wallet, crypto wallet, you know, it, you know, you know, it, you know, you know, it, you know, requires some extra requires some extra requires some extra work on their part work on their part , and it, it, it's a little more , and it, it, it's a little more , and it, it, it's a little more complicated, you know, complicated, you know, complicated, you know, than, I don't know, than, I don't know, than, I don't know, using a using a using a credit card to credit card to credit card to pay for services, pay for services, pay for services, because everyone already has because everyone already has because everyone already has credit cards. But credit cards. But credit cards. But I think this, this, this I think this, this, this I think this, this, this too, well, will be too, well, will be too, well, will be resolved soon, or with a resolved soon, or with a resolved soon, or with a better, better better, better better, better user user user experience. I think experience. I think agency payment tools are agency payment tools are getting better getting better getting better every month, every month, every month, actually. And I think the actually. And I think the actually. And I think the big big big unlocking will unlocking will unlocking will happen if these happen if these happen if these major agent major agent major agent payment platforms, payment platforms, payment platforms, you know, like you know, like you know, like cloud technologies cloud technologies cloud technologies or JGPT, or, you know, these or JGPT, or, you know, these or JGPT, or, you know, these personal agents, personal agents, personal agents, if they actually if they actually if they actually integrate integrate integrate crypto payments crypto payments crypto payments directly, directly, directly, right? So essentially, you would right? So essentially, you would right? So essentially, you would just want to just want to just want to use your use your use your main account with main account with main account with Cloth and say, "Hey, you Cloth and say, "Hey, you Cloth and say, "Hey, you can use can use can use $50 to buy $50 to buy $50 to buy .services." I think this is going to be a .services." I think this is going to be a .services." I think this is going to be a big big big unlock, and I unlock, and I unlock, and I think it's think it's think it's going to happen sooner rather than going to happen sooner rather than going to happen sooner rather than later, okay? So, later, okay? So, later, okay? So, the agent has a the agent has a the agent has a crypto wallet or, crypto wallet or, crypto wallet or, you know, an you know, an you know, an agent payment agent payment agent payment system set up, and they can system set up, and they can system set up, and they can purchase services. So the purchase services. So the purchase services. So the main question main question main question now is: where, where can he now is: where, where can he now is: where, where can he find services he find services he find services he can trust? And can trust? And can trust? And trust is important trust is important trust is important because if you're buying a because if you're buying a because if you're buying a service from something, from service from something, from service from something, from someone, you need to someone, you need to someone, you need to make sure that they're going make sure that they're going make sure that they're going to provide the service that they to provide the service that they to provide the service that they promise, they're promise, they're promise, they're going to provide it for the price going to provide it for the price going to provide it for the price that they, they, they, that they, they, they, that they, they, they, they say they're they say they're they say they're going to provide it, right? And going to provide it, right? And going to provide it, right? And if you don't trust, if you don't trust, if you don't trust, you won't transact with anyone you won't transact with anyone you won't transact with anyone . And . And . And historically, how do people historically, how do people historically, how do people build this trust?

build this trust? build this trust? First they started First they started First they started transactions with people they transactions with people they transactions with people they , they, they , they, they , they, they knew, right? So knew, right? So knew, right? So they, you know, they, you know, they, you know, exchanged exchanged exchanged favors and then favors and then favors and then money, but it was money, but it was money, but it was someone they someone they someone they knew. So they knew knew. So they knew knew. So they knew they could be trusted they could be trusted they could be trusted and they would sell them a and they would sell them a and they would sell them a good thing, or they good thing, or they good thing, or they would trust someone, would trust someone, would trust someone, uh, someone else that uh, someone else that uh, someone else that they knew and they knew and they knew and trusted who trusted who trusted who recommended them. So it's recommended them. So it's recommended them. So it's like you asked, "Oh, like you asked, "Oh, like you asked, "Oh, um, can you um, can you um, can you recommend a recommend a recommend a good hairdresser for me?" good hairdresser for me?" good hairdresser for me?" For example, to your For example, to your For example, to your friend, you say, " friend, you say, " Okay, you can Okay, you can Okay, you can use this," use this," use this," you know? And then you you know? And then you you know? And then you can trust this can trust this can trust this person, and everything will be person, and everything will be person, and everything will be great. And over time, great. And over time, great. And over time, you know, as the world you know, as the world you know, as the world got bigger, people got bigger, people got bigger, people started started started using a using a using a trusted trusted trusted intermediary to intermediary to intermediary to tell you who's a tell you who's a tell you who's a good seller and good seller and good seller and who's not, right? who's not, right? For example, different For example, different markets or city squares markets or city squares , where, you know, if , where, you know, if , where, you know, if someone was selling in the someone was selling in the someone was selling in the city, you know, in the city, you know, in the city, you know, in the square, you square, you square, you could probably trust: " could probably trust: " Okay, they're honest." And Okay, they're honest." And , you know, we have different , you know, we have different , you know, we have different reviews and different reviews and different consumer protection agencies and so on.

consumer protection agencies and so on. So, essentially, these So, essentially, these So, essentially, these elements lend elements lend elements lend credibility to the economy that credibility to the economy that credibility to the economy that you can buy you can buy you can buy services from services from services from strangers because there are strangers because there are strangers because there are signals that you signals that you signals that you can can can use. But use. But use. But in the world of aging, there is nothing in the world of aging, there is nothing in the world of aging, there is nothing like that like that like that . How can you . How can you . How can you know that, for example, know that, for example, know that, for example, this agent or service this agent or service this agent or service at some random at some random at some random URL that URL that URL that claims, “Oh, I claims, “Oh, I claims, “Oh, I have an API for, I don’t know, have an API for, I don’t know, have an API for, I don’t know, perfect perfect perfect weather data,” can you weather data,” can you weather data,” can you trust it? Well, it's trust it? Well, it's trust it? Well, it's quite complicated, but I quite complicated, but I quite complicated, but I think the same think the same think the same principle would principle would principle would apply, apply, apply, you know? So, either, you know? So, either, you know? So, either, like, network, network, like, network, network, like, network, network, or trust, like, "Oh, I or trust, like, "Oh, I or trust, like, "Oh, I know these services are, uh know these services are, uh , good," you know? , good," you know? , good," you know? So, essentially, it's a pool So, essentially, it's a pool So, essentially, it's a pool that you can that you can that you can use, or, use, or, use, or, uh, essentially, uh, essentially, uh, essentially, use use use verified catalogs verified catalogs verified catalogs and and and marketplaces. And we already marketplaces. And we already marketplaces. And we already see this see this see this happening, happening, happening, for example, uh, cloth, uh for example, uh, cloth, uh , has a , has a , has a connector catalog, right? connector catalog, right? connector catalog, right? These are kind of like These are kind of like These are kind of like verified verified verified connectors that are connectors that are connectors that are actually, like, actually, like, actually, like, entropic, like, entropic, like, checked pretty thoroughly. It's hard to checked pretty thoroughly. It's hard to get there, get there, get there, you know. Uh, they already you know. Uh, they already you know. Uh, they already provide this provide this provide this level of trust for level of trust for level of trust for the catalog of these the catalog of these the catalog of these tools, and the tools, and the tools, and the same...They have apps, same...They have apps, same...They have apps, and, uh, you know, Appi and, uh, you know, Appi and, uh, you know, Appi is also a is also a is also a marketplace. So, marketplace. So, marketplace. So, essentially, there's a trusted essentially, there's a trusted essentially, there's a trusted intermediary that tells intermediary that tells intermediary that tells you, "Okay, this is a you, "Okay, this is a you, "Okay, this is a service you service you service you can trust," you can trust," you can trust," you know, and you can, you know, and you can, you know, and you can, you can can can use it, use it, use it, right? So I think it's right? So I think it's right? So I think it's already happening. And, uh already happening. And, uh , again, the , again, the , again, the big unlock would be big unlock would be big unlock would be if these big if these big if these big agency agency agency providers, uh, providers, uh, providers, uh, enabled payments out of enabled payments out of enabled payments out of the box, you know?

the box, you know? the box, you know? Suddenly, I think this would all Suddenly, I think this would all Suddenly, I think this would all really really really start. And the last thing is start. And the last thing is to buy, right? And you to buy, right? And you , traditional, these , traditional, these , traditional, these agent payment agent payment agent payment systems, they systems, they systems, they only supported only supported only supported this, uh, super this, uh, super this, uh, super simple, uh, simple, uh, simple, uh, use case, and it use case, and it use case, and it was kind of a was kind of a was kind of a fixed price per fixed price per fixed price per API call. But in this API call. But in this API call. But in this world, that's not world, that's not world, that's not enough, enough, enough, you know? There are only a you know? There are only a you know? There are only a certain number of certain number of certain number of things that can be things that can be things that can be bought for a fixed bought for a fixed bought for a fixed price, perhaps the price, perhaps the price, perhaps the weather forecast. But weather forecast. But weather forecast. But to do to do to do real work, you real work, you real work, you actually need to, actually need to, actually need to, for example, for example, for example, use a use a use a payer to payer to payer to run some kind of run some kind of run some kind of computational computational computational task or some kind of task or some kind of task or some kind of agent task agent task agent task that the LLM itself uses that the LLM itself uses that the LLM itself uses , right? And, uh, you , right? And, uh, you , right? And, uh, you need variable need variable need variable pricing. And, uh, pricing. And, uh, pricing. And, uh, fortunately, just, uh, fortunately, just, uh, fortunately, just, uh, earlier this year, earlier this year, earlier this year, X42 added this option; X42 added this option; X42 added this option; it's called it's called it's called batch calculation batch calculation , and MPP added sessions, uh. , and MPP added sessions, uh. , and MPP added sessions, uh. And the purpose of these, uh, And the purpose of these, uh, And the purpose of these, uh, payment schemes is to payment schemes is to payment schemes is to enable, uh, enable, uh, enable, uh, agents, you know, to agents, you know, to agents, you know, to also process this, also process this, also process this, like paper like paper like paper billing billing . So let's take a quick . So let's take a quick . So let's take a quick look at how, uh, x4 look at how, uh, x4 look at how, uh, x4 implements implements implements the use of a the use of a the use of a payer, because I payer, because I payer, because I think it's a good think it's a good think it's a good illustration of what the illustration of what the early adopters went through, early adopters went through, you know, to make you know, to make you know, to make it work. So let's it work. So let's it work. So let's just just just take a quick look at how take a quick look at how take a quick look at how the X42 works. First, as you the X42 works. First, as you the X42 works. First, as you know, you send an know, you send an know, you send an API request. You get a API request. You get a API request. You get a 402 error, uh, with 402 error, uh, with 402 error, uh, with some payment, uh some payment, uh , signature, sorry, , signature, sorry, , signature, sorry, header " header " header " payment required." You create a payment required." You create a payment required." You create a signature, repeat signature, repeat signature, repeat the request with a certain amount of the request with a certain amount of the request with a certain amount of money, then the server money, then the server money, then the server checks it with checks it with checks it with an intermediary, which an intermediary, which an intermediary, which could be, for example, could be, for example, could be, for example, Coinbase. Everything is fine, and Coinbase. Everything is fine, and Coinbase. Everything is fine, and then you work there then you work there . Well, we'll see, uh, . Well, we'll see, uh, . Well, we'll see, uh, then you then you then you settle settle settle the transaction, uh. Coinbase

the transaction, uh. Coinbase , the intermediary, , the intermediary, , the intermediary, sends the transaction sends the transaction sends the transaction to the blockchain, and to the blockchain, and to the blockchain, and the transaction the transaction the transaction is confirmed. You is confirmed. You is confirmed. You get a response get a response get a response from the intermediary, and from the intermediary, and from the intermediary, and then you know that then you know that then you know that the money is actually the money is actually the money is actually transferred and you transferred and you transferred and you can do can do can do the work, right? So the work, right? So the work, right? So the risk is the risk is the risk is that if you do that if you do that if you do the work a little early the work a little early the work a little early and then the money just and then the money just and then the money just doesn't come through, you doesn't come through, you doesn't come through, you could lose it. could lose it. could lose it. So it depends on So it depends on So it depends on your service. Sometimes, your service. Sometimes, your service. Sometimes, uh, you just want to uh, you just want to uh, you just want to make sure you make sure you make sure you charge before you charge before you charge before you actually actually actually provide the service, provide the service, provide the service, if there are non-trivial if there are non-trivial if there are non-trivial costs, maybe you costs, maybe you costs, maybe you know, some know, some know, some calculations, etc., and calculations, etc., and calculations, etc., and then you get then you get then you get a response about the payment. a response about the payment. a response about the payment. So that's all good, uh, So that's all good, uh, So that's all good, uh, but it's really only but it's really only but it's really only for simple for simple for simple scenarios, but scenarios, but scenarios, but handling the use of the handling the use of the handling the use of the payer was quite, payer was quite, payer was quite, uh, a little more complicated, uh, a little more complicated, uh, a little more complicated, you know. So first you know. So first you know. So first in May, uh, exports in May, uh, exports in May, uh, exports launched a precise launched a precise launched a precise payment scheme. This was the first payment scheme. This was the first payment scheme. This was the first scheme for scheme for scheme for fixed fixed fixed pricing and pricing and pricing and then they promised then they promised then they promised that we would release a that we would release a that we would release a payment scheme up to 100% which would payment scheme up to 100% which would payment scheme up to 100% which would basically allow for basically allow for basically allow for variable variable variable costing. They costing. They costing. They released it released it released it earlier this year, earlier this year, earlier this year, but unfortunately it didn't but unfortunately it didn't but unfortunately it didn't quite work for quite work for quite work for our our our use case. I'll use case. I'll get to that quickly. And then get to that quickly. And then finally, uh, they finally, uh, they finally, uh, they implemented the basic implemented the basic implemented the basic settings, uh, in settings, uh, in settings, uh, in 2026. So the problem 2026. So the problem 2026. So the problem with the 100% payment scheme with the 100% payment scheme was that was that was that while it allowed while it allowed while it allowed for a fairly for a fairly for a fairly variable cost, there was nothing to variable cost, there was nothing to variable cost, there was nothing to stop stop stop the buyer, the the buyer, the the buyer, the agent, from spending that agent, from spending that agent, from spending that money twice, you know, money twice, you know, money twice, you know, because the transaction because the transaction because the transaction was was was only settled later on the only settled later on the only settled later on the blockchain. So, blockchain. So, blockchain. So, essentially, the up to 10% scheme essentially, the up to 10% scheme essentially, the up to 10% scheme wasn't useful for the wasn't useful for the wasn't useful for the pay-per- pay-per- pay-per- use case, which was use case, which was use case, which was a bit of a bummer. So a bit of a bummer. So a bit of a bummer. So we get around this we get around this we get around this by using exact and

by using exact and by using exact and refund. So basically, we refund. So basically, we refund. So basically, we charge something charge something charge something like, I don't know, like, I don't know, like, I don't know, $10 up front, and $10 up front, and $10 up front, and then, you know, then, you know, then, you know, let's say, we consume let's say, we consume let's say, we consume $2, and once $2, and once $2, and once the job is done, we the job is done, we the job is done, we give back the rest. But give back the rest. But give back the rest. But again, that again, that again, that means agents means agents means agents have to trust have to trust have to trust the seller, which again the seller, which again the seller, which again brings us back to the brings us back to the brings us back to the original point original point original point that sometimes it's that sometimes it's that sometimes it's complicated, so you complicated, so you complicated, so you have to have to have to transact through transact through transact through blockchain, which blockchain, which blockchain, which means more means more means more fees and so on. So it fees and so on. So it fees and so on. So it wasn't exactly wasn't exactly wasn't exactly ideal. So finally the ideal. So finally the rate-based payment scheme solved this rate-based payment scheme solved this problem. We added problem. We added problem. We added it recently, I it recently, I it recently, I think last think last think last week. I don't have week. I don't have week. I don't have time to go into the time to go into the time to go into the details, but it details, but it details, but it uses uses uses cryptomagic to cryptomagic to cryptomagic to sort of sort of sort of escrow money on the escrow money on the escrow money on the blockchain, and then you blockchain, and then you blockchain, and then you can charge it, you can charge it, you can charge it, you know, for know, for know, for microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions later and final later and final later and final remarks. Uh, I remarks. Uh, I remarks. Uh, I think the think the think the agent payment funnel is agent payment funnel is agent payment funnel is really starting really starting really starting to take off now. And, uh, to take off now. And, uh, to take off now. And, uh, soon, uh, the soon, uh, the soon, uh, the real volumes will begin, and the real volumes will begin, and the real volumes will begin, and the real beginning of the real beginning of the real beginning of the agency economy agency economy . And I think now is the . And I think now is the . And I think now is the time to figure out how time to figure out how time to figure out how you can sell you can sell you can sell your services, uh, in your services, uh, in your services, uh, in this new world, this new world, this new world, because implementation because implementation because implementation can be a little more can be a little more can be a little more complicated than you complicated than you complicated than you think. And if you think. And if you wait too long, if you wait too long, maybe, uh, wait too long, maybe, uh, you'll miss the you'll miss the you'll miss the train, and that's it.

train, and that's it. train, and that's it. Thank you very much.