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3 Apr 2026, 20:15

AI Data Centers Trigger Alarming Rush for Natural Gas Power Plants

BitcoinWorld AI Data Centers Trigger Alarming Rush for Natural Gas Power Plants In an unprecedented scramble for computing power, the world’s largest technology companies are now racing to secure a finite resource: natural gas. The explosive growth of artificial intelligence has created a voracious appetite for electricity, leading Microsoft, Google, and Meta to announce massive investments in natural gas-fired power generation specifically for their data centers. This strategic pivot toward fossil fuels marks a significant moment in the tech industry’s relationship with energy infrastructure and raises critical questions about sustainability, market stability, and long-term planning. The AI Power Crisis Driving Natural Gas Investments Artificial intelligence models, particularly large language models and generative AI systems, require staggering amounts of computational power. Training these models consumes exponentially more electricity than traditional cloud computing. Consequently, data center operators face a fundamental challenge: securing reliable, baseload power at scale. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar, while growing rapidly, often face intermittency issues that make them less suitable for the constant, high-demand operations of AI data centers. This technological reality has triggered what industry analysts describe as a “mad dash” for natural gas infrastructure. Natural gas power plants offer several advantages for tech companies. They provide dispatchable, 24/7 power generation. They can be built relatively quickly compared to nuclear facilities. Furthermore, they represent a known technology with established supply chains—at least until recently. Major Tech Players Forge Energy Partnerships The scale of recent announcements reveals the magnitude of this shift. On April 30, 2025, Microsoft confirmed a partnership with energy giants Chevron and Engine No. 1 to develop a natural gas power plant in West Texas. The project could eventually scale to produce 5 gigawatts of electricity—enough to power approximately 3.75 million homes. Simultaneously, Google disclosed its collaboration with Crusoe Energy Systems on a 933-megawatt natural gas plant in North Texas. Meta’s strategy involves significant expansion at its Hyperion data center complex in Louisiana. The company recently announced plans to add seven natural gas power plants to the site, bringing its total capacity to 7.46 gigawatts. To put this in perspective, that output exceeds the entire electricity consumption of South Dakota. These investments are concentrated in the southern United States, particularly Texas and Louisiana, regions sitting atop some of the world’s largest natural gas deposits. The Supply Chain Bottleneck: A Six-Year Wait for Turbines The sudden surge in demand has created severe supply chain constraints. According to analysis from Wood Mackenzie, prices for gas turbines—which constitute 20% to 30% of a power plant’s total cost—have skyrocketed. Prices are projected to be 195% higher by the end of 2025 compared to 2019 levels. More critically, lead times have stretched to unprecedented lengths. “Companies cannot place new orders for large gas turbines until 2028,” a Wood Mackenzie analyst noted. “The delivery timeline currently stands at six years from order to installation.” This bottleneck forces tech companies to make billion-dollar bets today on infrastructure that won’t be operational for most of the decade. It represents a massive gamble that AI’s power demands will continue their exponential growth trajectory. Behind-the-Meter Operations and Market Implications A key feature of these new projects is their “behind-the-meter” configuration. Instead of drawing power from the public electrical grid, these plants will connect directly to the companies’ own data centers. This approach allows tech firms to claim they are bringing new power generation online without straining existing grid infrastructure. However, energy economists point to a significant caveat. “They are simply shifting their demand from the electrical grid to the natural gas pipeline network,” explained Dr. Elena Rodriguez, an energy markets professor at Stanford University. “Natural gas generates about 40% of U.S. electricity. Large, concentrated demand from tech data centers could still influence regional gas prices, which in turn affect electricity prices for everyone.” The contracts between tech companies and energy suppliers remain confidential. The degree of price insulation these companies have secured is unknown. If their contracts are not firmly priced, they remain exposed to the volatility of the global natural gas market, which can be affected by geopolitical events, extreme weather, and production fluctuations. Geological Bounty Meets Production Reality The United States possesses enormous natural gas reserves. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Wolfcamp Shale in the Permian Basin alone contains enough technically recoverable gas to supply the entire country for nearly ten months. This abundance has historically provided price stability and energy security. However, recent production trends introduce complexity. Growth in the three major U.S. shale gas regions—the Appalachia, Permian, and Haynesville basins—has slowed considerably. These regions account for three-quarters of the nation’s shale gas output. While reserves are vast, the rate at which they can be extracted economically is not infinite. The tech industry’s new demand represents a substantial incremental load on this system. Other industrial sectors are watching closely. Industries like petrochemical manufacturing, fertilizer production, and heavy manufacturing remain heavily dependent on natural gas as both a fuel and a feedstock. Unlike data centers, these industries cannot easily switch to renewable alternatives. A competition for resources could emerge, pitting digital infrastructure against foundational physical industries. The Weather Wild Card and Ethical Questions Extreme weather events present another layer of risk. The winter storm of 2021 in Texas demonstrated how cold snaps can freeze wellheads and cripple gas supply, leading to blackouts and price spikes. In a supply-constrained scenario, difficult prioritization decisions could arise. Should available gas flow to data centers running AI models or to residential heating systems? This scenario highlights the physical constraints of the digital economy. The AI revolution, often perceived as purely virtual, is fundamentally tethered to vast physical infrastructure—semiconductor fabs, fiber optic cables, and now, massive power generation facilities. The industry’s current trajectory represents a substantial bet on the continued availability and affordability of a finite fossil resource. Conclusion The race to build natural gas plants for AI data centers underscores a pivotal moment in technological and energy history. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta are making long-term, capital-intensive bets to secure the power required for the next generation of artificial intelligence. While these investments may provide short-term solutions for powering AI growth, they introduce new dependencies on fossil fuel markets, create potential conflicts with other energy consumers, and present significant logistical and ethical challenges. The industry’s fear of missing out on AI dominance is now physically manifesting in the landscape of West Texas and beyond, reminding us that even the most advanced digital technologies remain rooted in the material world of turbines, pipelines, and gigawatts. FAQs Q1: Why are tech companies building natural gas plants instead of using more renewable energy? AI data centers require constant, reliable “baseload” power 24 hours a day. While tech companies are major investors in renewables, wind and solar power are intermittent. Natural gas plants can generate power on demand, making them a practical choice for meeting the massive, unwavering electricity demands of AI training and inference workloads. Q2: What does “behind-the-meter” mean in this context? A behind-the-meter power plant is directly connected to a specific facility—in this case, a data center—rather than feeding electricity into the public grid. This allows the tech company to be its own power provider, potentially avoiding grid congestion charges and increasing reliability. However, it still consumes fuel from the public natural gas pipeline network. Q3: How much power do these new natural gas plants produce? The announced projects are enormous. Microsoft’s Texas project could reach 5 gigawatts (GW). Meta’s Louisiana expansion will bring its site to 7.46 GW. For comparison, a single gigawatt can power roughly 750,000 average U.S. homes. These are utility-scale power generation facilities rivaling those built by traditional energy companies. Q4: Are there supply chain issues affecting these projects? Yes, a major bottleneck exists. The specialized turbines required for large natural gas power plants are in short supply. Lead times have stretched to six years, and new orders cannot be placed until 2028. This forces companies to plan far in advance and bet heavily on continued AI growth. Q5: Could this push for natural gas raise energy prices for consumers? Economists suggest it’s possible. Natural gas fuels about 40% of U.S. electricity generation. If tech companies secure large, long-term contracts or consume significant volumes, it could reduce supply available for other users or electricity generation, potentially applying upward pressure on market prices, especially during periods of high demand or supply constraint. This post AI Data Centers Trigger Alarming Rush for Natural Gas Power Plants first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

3 Apr 2026, 19:20

Avalanche price prediction 2026-2032: Time to buy AVAX?

Key takeaways: Our Avalanche price prediction anticipates a high of $22.10 in 2026. In 2028, the price range is expected to be between $29.97 and $35.18, with an average price of $30.82. In 2031, the range is likely to be between $95.99 and $109.93, with an average price of $99.25. AVAX experienced significant price fluctuations this year. This record came amid a drop in the crypto market valuation and regional tensions in the Middle East. While the Avalanche network has been making strides, the AVAX price has left investors particularly questioning its trajectory. Will AVAX go up? Is AVAX a good investment? Let’s explore these and more in our Cryptopolitan price prediction from 2026 to 2032. Overview Cryptocurrency Avalanche Symbol AVAX Current price $9.00 Market cap $3.88B Trading volume $191.42M Circulating supply 431.77M All-time high $146.22 on Nov 21, 2021 All-time low $2.79 on Dec 31, 2020 24-hour high $9.13 24-hour low $8.65 Avalanche price prediction: Technical analysis Metric Value Volatility (30-day variation) 4.48% (Medium) 50-day SMA $9.34 200-day SMA $14.43 Sentiment Bearish Green days 16/30 (53%) Fear and Greed Index 9 (Extreme Greed) Avalanche price analysis On April 3, the AVAX price rose 4.20% over 24 hours and fell 5.60% over 30 days. Its trading volume dropped (33.62%) to $191M in 24 hours, showing less trading interest. AVAX/USD 1-day chart analysis AVAXUSD chart by TradingView This month, AVAX remained bearish, falling below $10 and recently below $9. The coin now has a bearish Relative Strength Index (RSI). The William Alligator trendlines indicate waning volatility, while the MACD histograms show negative momentum. AVAX has support at $8.58. AVAX/USD 4-hour chart analysis AVAXUSD chart by TradingView Over the short term, AVAX remained volatile, ranging between $8 and $10. Its momentum rose in the last 24 hours as it bounced off support levels. Its relative strength index (53.83) shows it is in neutral territory. Avalanche technical indicators: Levels and action Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value ($) Action SMA 3 10.90 SELL SMA 5 9.94 SELL SMA 10 9.22 SELL SMA 21 9.39 SELL SMA 50 9.34 SELL SMA 100 11.02 SELL SMA 200 14.43 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value ($) Action EMA 3 9.28 SELL EMA 5 9.59 SELL EMA 10 10.44 SELL EMA 21 11.46 SELL EMA 50 12.97 SELL EMA 100 15.48 SELL EMA 200 18.54 SELL What to expect from the AVAX price analysis next? Technical analysis of Avalanche price movements suggests it is bearish. The charts show that its momentum is rising, suggesting it will drop over the short term. Why is Avalanche down? AVAX is caught in a market-wide downdraft, with its technical breakdown amplifying the sell-off. While positive developments like the ETF filing provide long-term optionality, they are not offsetting near-term macro fears. Will AVAX reach $50? According to the Cryptopolitan price prediction, AVAX is expected to cross $50 in 2029, reaching a maximum price of $52.03. Will AVAX reach $100? According to the Cryptopolitan price prediction, AVAX will reach $100 in 2031, with a maximum price of $109.93. Can Avalanche reach $1,000? It remains highly unlikely that AVAX will reach $1,000 before 2031. At that market capitalization, it could be more valuable than Ethereum. Can Avalanche reach $10,000? It remains highly unlikely that AVAX will reach $10,000 before 2031. How much will Avalanche be worth in 2026? As 2026 unfolds, we anticipate it will trade between $7.00 and $22.10, with an average price of $18.89. Does Avalanche have a good long-term future? According to Cryptopolitan price predictions, AVAX will trade higher in the coming years. However, factors like market crashes or negative regulations could invalidate this bullish theory. Is Avalanche a good crypto to buy? Chart analysis suggests that Avalanche is recovering and currently gearing up for a closer move to $20 despite the overall bearish momentum. AVAX price prediction April 2026 For April, AVAX will trade between $9.10 and $13.10, with an average price of $10.01. Month Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) April 7.59 10.01 13.10 Avalanche price prediction 2026 As 2026 unfolds, its future price movements suggest it will trade between $7.00 and $22.10, with an average price of $12.89. Year Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) 2026 7.00 12.89 22.10 Avalanche price prediction 2027-2032 Year Potential low ($) Potential average ($) Potential high ($) 2027 20.4900 22.2100 24.7600 2028 29.9700 30.8200 35.1800 2029 43.5500 44.7900 52.0300 2030 62.8400 65.07 74.7400 2031 95.9900 99.25 109.9300 2032 141.6400 145.6100 164.6400 AVAX price prediction 2027 Avalanche price prediction climbs even higher into 2027. According to the projection, the price will range from $20.49 to $24.76, with an average trading price of $22.21. Avalanche crypto price prediction 2028 Our Avalanche price prediction indicates further price acceleration. It will trade between $29.97 and $35.18, with an average of $30.82. Avalanche price prediction 2029 According to the AVAX coin price prediction for 2029, the price of AVAX will range from a minimum price of $43.55 to a maximum price of $52.03. The average price will be $44.79. Avalanche AVAX price prediction 2030 According to the Avalanche price prediction for 2030, we anticipate a range of $62.84 to $74.74, with an average price of $65.07. Avalanche price prediction 2031 The Avalanche price forecast ranges from $95.99 to $109.93, with an average closing price of $99.25. Avalanche price prediction 2032 The Avalanche AVAX price forecast indicates it will trade between $141.64 and $164.64, with an average trading price of $145.61. Avalanche price prediction 2026 – 2032 Avalanche market price prediction: Analysts’ AVAX price forecast Platform 2026 2027 2028 Coincodex $7.56 $7.54 $7.40 Gate.com $9.00 $9.03 $11.94 Cryptopolitan Avalanche price prediction Our predictions indicate that Avalanche will achieve a high level of $22.10 in 2026. In 2027, it will range between $20.49 and $24.76, with an average price of $22.10. In 2031, the range will be between $95.99 and $109.93, with an average of $99.25. Note that the predictions are not investment advice. Seek independent consultation or do your own research. Avalanche historic price sentiment Avalanche price history. Image source CoinGecko In July 2020, Avalanche completed its public sale, raising $42 million in under 4.5 hours. The tokens were distributed after the mainnet launch in September. On Dec 31, 2020, it fell to an all-time low of $2.79. In September 2021, the Ava Labs Foundation received a $230 million investment from Polychain and Three Arrows Capital Group by purchasing AVAX. In November 2021, following an agreement with Deloitte to improve US disaster relief funding, AVAX moved to the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. At that time, AVAX reached an all-time high of $146.22. In Aug 2022, a whistleblower, ‘crypto leaks’, published a report accusing Ava Labs of secret deals with a law firm to destabilize its competitors. Ava Labs CEO Emin Gün Sirer denied any involvement in a shady deal with the Roche Freedman law firm. In 2023, AVAX maintained a bullish trend from January to May, after which bears took control of the market. It resumed the positive momentum in October, rising to $49.96. In 2024, it crossed the $60 mark in March. The rise coincided with a record high in AVAX inscriptions, with over 100 million ASC-20 minted since their introduction in June 2023. The uptrend reversed in April 2024; by July, it had fallen to $24.40. In August, it was at $21, and in September and October, it was at $27. It turned bullish in November 2024, rising from as low as $23 to $55 in December. It corrected later and traded at $42 into 2025. The drop continued into January; by June, it had fallen below $20. In July, it traded at $18, and in September, at $23. In October, it rose above $30. It then reversed, and by December, had dropped to $14. It maintained the price into January 2026. It later turned bearish, and in March and April, it reached $9.

3 Apr 2026, 19:00

U.S. MATCH Act would cut chip equipment sales and servicing to key Chinese firms

A group of American lawmakers from both parties has put forward a new bill that would sharply limit China’s ability to get hold of the equipment it needs to make advanced computer chips. The legislation, called the MATCH Act, was introduced late Thursday. It aims to keep the United States ahead in the artificial intelligence race by stopping Chinese companies from buying chip-making machines they cannot produce on their own. Much of the attention falls on ASML, a Dutch company that is the only maker of the most advanced chip production equipment in the world. Past restrictions on what China could import were pushed through by the White House under both the Trump and Biden administrations. This time, the push is coming directly from Congress. The lawmakers behind the bill include Congressman Michael Baumgartner and John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on China. According to Baumgartner’s office , the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act, MATCH for short, is designed to close what it calls “critical gaps” in the rules that already exist. “The MATCH Act will close loopholes, create a level playing field for U.S. and allied toolmakers, and ensure the next decade of growth in chip manufacturing… happens in the United States and allied countries, not China,” the report from his office states. Bill targets older machines and named Chinese firms The bill takes direct aim at a specific type of chip-making machine called immersion DUV lithography. China buys most of these from ASML and, to a lesser extent, from its smaller Japanese competitor, Nikon. Rules already bar ASML from selling its newest and most powerful EUV machines to China. But the MATCH Act would go further. It would ban the sale and even the maintenance of older DUV machines to major Chinese chip companies. The bill clearly designates SMIC, Hua Hong, Huawei, CXMT, YMTC, and associated companies as targets. If the legislation is approved, these businesses would receive exports, servicing, and technical assistance in the same manner that the United States presently treats businesses on its Entity List. This would essentially compel ASML to violate current agreements and give up a significant portion of its business. With 33% of ASML’s total revenue in 2025, China was the company’s largest market. This year, that percentage is already predicted to drop to about 20%. One of the bill’s central goals is to make sure that American allies play by the same rules as U.S. companies. The proposal gives allied countries 150 days to show they are tightening their own controls. If they fall short, the Department of Commerce would be directed to put the restrictions in place on its own. The bill also widens U.S. authority over goods made in other countries if they include American software, technology, or parts. Senator Pete Ricketts spoke plainly about what the bill is trying to fix. “For too long, our export controls have been a patchwork of entity-based restrictions that Beijing easily bypasses using front companies,” he said. “The MATCH Act strengthens our controls and creates a level playing field for U.S. companies.” The Dutch government offered a careful response to the bill. A spokesperson from the Netherlands’ foreign ministry said it was “not our place to comment on draft legislation proposed by lawmakers from other countries.” ASML said nothing publicly on Friday. Rare earth squeeze looms as China’s likely countermove China could attempt to tighten its hold on rare earth elements, another piece of the technology puzzle, in response to Washington’s efforts to tighten regulations on chip equipment. A top Chinese delegation had recently visited research facilities and manufacturers to advocate for closer cooperation between the mining, production, and commercial usage of these commodities, according to state-affiliated industry sources. China could carefully control its rare earth business, as evidenced by the visit, which emphasized the need to ensure supply and maintain stable prices. The concern for Western technology companies is not just about raw materials. China already leads in the processing of rare earths and in manufacturing products like electric vehicle motors and industrial robots that depend on them. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

3 Apr 2026, 18:27

Cathie Wood says Bitcoin’s 85% collapses are “done”

Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, believes that the era of heart-stopping Bitcoin ( B T C ) price crashes is officially over as institutional investors increasingly adopt it as a distinct asset class. In an April 1 CNBC Squawk Box interview, Cathie stated that a potential 50% drawdown for Bitcoin in 2026 would be considered a real victory in its community. Furthermore, BTC price has historically recorded drawdowns of 85% or more from its peaks during prior major bear markets. “The 85-95% collapses associated with a very new technology — that’s done. This is a proven technology, it’s a proven monetary system, and it’s a new asset class,” she stated . As Bitcoin price traded at about $67,000 on April 3, Cathie highlighted its maturation as a payment technology, noting it has been bolstered by ongoing institutionalization. Building on this point, she described Bitcoin as both a new asset class and a store-of-value network whose volatility profile is structurally declining as large financial institutions accumulate it for long-term gains. Will Bitcoin price repeat historical collapses in 2026? From a technical analysis standpoint, Bitcoin price could be following its four-year cycle marked by the halving, an event that reduces miners’ rewards, thereby cutting its annual inflation. Since hitting its all-time high (ATH) of about $126,198 in early October 2025, BTC price could be preparing to retest the ‘Heavy Undervalued’ band on the on-chain value map model, based on data from BitcoinStrategyPlatform . Bitcoin on-chain value map. Source: BitcoinStrategyPlatform As such, if Bitcoin price follows historical trends, another capitulation could be brewing before a reversal towards a new ATH. However, if institutional investors, led by spot BTC exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ), renew demand for the flagship coin, a possible bear market bottom could have already formed. After wrapping up its worst first quarter in 8 years with a 22.2% decline, Cathie and other financial experts are predicting a potential BTC price rebound in the second quarter, fueled by a supportive economic outlook in the United States. ​ The post Cathie Wood says Bitcoin’s 85% collapses are “done” appeared first on Finbold .

3 Apr 2026, 17:05

New Document: XRP Is “Bitcoin for Banks”

Global trade finance continues to operate on legacy systems that slow international commerce and increase costs for financial institutions. Banks still rely on fragmented documentation, manual verification, and multi-step settlement processes that reduce efficiency in cross-border transactions. As global trade expands, financial institutions face growing pressure to modernize infrastructure and adopt technologies that improve speed, transparency, and settlement reliability. SMQKE recently highlighted a document in a post on X that describes XRP and Ripple’s technology as a “Bitcoin for banks.” The document frames XRP not as a speculative digital asset, but as an infrastructure tool designed to streamline institutional finance and modernize cross-border payment systems . Trade Finance Faces Structural Inefficiencies Trade finance has historically depended on long paper trails and expensive intermediary processes. These systems increase operational risk and delay settlement times, particularly in cross-border transactions that involve multiple jurisdictions and banking partners. The document emphasizes that digitizing trade finance creates a strong business case for financial modernization. It explains that blockchain and distributed ledger technology can reduce manual processes, improve data authentication, and enable faster and more secure financial communication between institutions. XRP = A “Bitcoin for Banks” Documented. https://t.co/xtHdqPnPP7 pic.twitter.com/j8bOcS0xhU — SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) April 2, 2026 By replacing fragmented workflows with shared digital systems, banks can improve transparency and reduce reconciliation costs. This shift directly targets inefficiencies that have persisted in global finance for decades. Blockchain as a Settlement Infrastructure Layer The document highlights blockchain technology as a key enabler of this transformation. Distributed ledger systems allow financial institutions to share verified information in real time, reducing the need for repeated validation across intermediaries. Ripple’s infrastructure receives specific attention for its role in cross-border payments . The document states that Ripple is well-suited for trade finance because it focuses on international settlement efficiency and liquidity movement across currencies. XRP functions as a bridge asset that enables faster value transfer between financial systems that otherwise lack direct interoperability. This design supports the concept of XRP acting as a “Bitcoin for banks,” where the focus shifts from retail speculation to institutional utility and settlement optimization. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Early Adoption and Banking Experiments The document also describes early-stage adoption trends within global banking networks. Several major financial institutions have already tested distributed ledger technology to evaluate its effectiveness in real-world financial environments. It further references a pilot program involving 12 banks that tested XRP for real-time liquidity rebalancing. In this setup, XRP helped facilitate cross-border value movement and reduced reliance on pre-funded accounts, which traditionally lock capital within correspondent banking systems. These trials demonstrate how blockchain-based liquidity solutions can improve capital efficiency and streamline settlement processes in institutional finance. A Shift Toward Utility-Driven Financial Systems The characterization of XRP as a “Bitcoin for banks” reflects a broader shift in how financial institutions evaluate blockchain technology. Banks now prioritize efficiency, compliance, and integration capability over speculative value. If adoption continues to expand, blockchain-based settlement systems could redefine global trade finance. In this emerging framework, XRP positions itself as a functional liquidity tool that supports faster, more transparent, and more efficient international banking operations. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post New Document: XRP Is “Bitcoin for Banks” appeared first on Times Tabloid .

3 Apr 2026, 14:42

Big Tech backs protocols that let AI programs spend money autonomously

Big tech companies are backing a new group that aims to set standards for how AI systems handle payments, both in crypto and in traditional currencies. The Linux Foundation announced Thursday it’s launching the x402 Foundation to oversee the x402 protocol. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services have already signed on. Coinbase helped develop the protocol before handing it over to the foundation. Several major financial players joined early. American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Stripe, Circle, Solana Foundation, and Polygon Labs all threw their support behind it. Other backers include Cloudflare, Shopify, Thirdweb, and KakaoPay. Coinbase says moving the protocol under the Linux Foundation creates a neutral home that’s not controlled by any single company. This setup might appeal more to tech firms and developers than keeping it under corporate ownership. Protocol aims to enable autonomous AI payments Jim Zemlin, who leads the Linux Foundation, made the case by pointing to how “the internet was built on open protocols.” He’s arguing for taking the same approach with AI payments. What does the x402 protocol actually do? It lets AI agents and web services process payments independently. Think paying for API access, buying data, or getting digital services – all without needing someone to click approve each time. The idea is picking up steam as more people predict that machine-to-machine transactions will dominate crypto payments. Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, recently said that AI agents making online transactions will outnumber humans pretty soon. Over at Circle, Jeremy Allaire has predicted that billions of AI agents could be running on blockchain networks within three to five years. Actual use of the x402 protocol hasn’t matched the hype Data from Dune Analytics shows a spike late last year followed by a sharp drop. Transactions peaked at around 13.7 million during the week of November 4-10, with another 13.66 million the following week. Since then? Activity fell off a cliff. Weekly volumes in 2026 have ranged from about 29,000 to 1.1 million. That’s a huge gap and shows adoption has been spotty despite all the major backing. Meanwhile, Stripe partnered with Tempo, a blockchain startup, to launch their own version on Wednesday. They’re calling it the Machine Payments Protocol. Matt Huang, who cofounded Tempo and runs Paradigm, put it this way: “Agentic payments is very early, and we still are figuring out the best way to structure these. So our team just came up with what we thought was the most elegant, minimal, efficient protocol that anyone can extend without our permission.” Tempo raised $500 million in 2025 at a $5 billion valuation. Investors included Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital. Visa developed the part of Stripe and Tempo’s protocol that handles credit and debit card payments for agents. Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto, described it as creating a clear protocol for how agents talk to merchants. Visa’s also testing an experimental command-line tool in beta. It lets software fire off payments directly from a terminal without developers needing to juggle API keys. Last month, Mastercard announced plans to acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin infrastructure company, for up to $1.8 billion. The deal includes $300 million in payments contingent on hitting performance benchmarks. It’s expected to close sometime this year. Jorn Lambert, Mastercard’s chief product officer, said: “We expect that most financial institutions and fintechs will, in time, provide digital currency services.” BVNK, founded in 2021, had a valuation above $750 million, according to CNBC last year. The platform supports transactions across all major blockchain networks in over 130 countries. CZ predicts a million-fold increase in AI payments Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao weighed in on March 9, posting that AI agents will process one million times more payments than humans, and they’ll use crypto to do it. Zhao’s post came out the same day as Brian Armstrong’s similar point. Armstrong mentioned Coinbase’s Agentic Wallets, which went live in February 2026 on the x402 protocol. AI agents will make 1 million times more payments than humans, and they will use crypto. https://t.co/PkhsAuZPst — CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) March 9, 2026 BNB Chain, Binance’s blockchain network, rolled out infrastructure for autonomous agent payments on February 4, 2026. The ERC-8004 standard creates verifiable blockchain identities for AI agents. BAP-578 brought in Non-Fungible Agents, essentially software that exists as a blockchain asset with its own wallet and can spend funds to complete tasks without needing approval for every transaction. A day after talking about AI payments, Zhao posted about the tools he’s been using. After testing different AI models with OpenClaw, an open-source autonomous agent framework, he said Kimi AI performed best. He found it most efficient with tokens, effective for coding work, and easiest to get running. Kimi AI is built by Moonshot AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence company founded in 2023. OpenClaw is an open-source project for deploying autonomous agents locally without cloud services. OpenAI acquired the project earlier in 2026. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .