They define how autonomous agents communicate and settle value — unlocking new design space for onchain coordination.
Modular rollups, AI agents, and real-time data flows are converging across ecosystems like Solana, Mantle, and Base.
From pay-per-query research bots to trading signals, agents are becoming monetizable endpoints across finance.
New rails like x402 lower barriers for programmable, measurable service layers aligned with financial infrastructure.

x402 and ERC-8004 aren't just technical specs — they represent the foundational rails for a new, programmable agent layer onchain.
This report is written for:
In a concise, insight-packed report, we explain the core standards, key players, and practical implications of this shift — written to be accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.