This page explains the role of the wallet in the x402 protocol. In x402, a wallet is both a payment mechanism and a form of unique identity for buyers and sellers. Wallet addresses are used to send, receive, and verify payments, while also serving as identifiers within the protocol.

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Role of the Wallet

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For Buyers

Buyers use wallets to:
  • Store USDC
  • Sign payment payloads
  • Authorize onchain payments programmatically
Wallets enable buyers, including AI agents, to transact without account creation or credential management.

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For Sellers

Sellers use wallets to:
  • Receive USDC payments
  • Define their payment destination within server configurations
A seller’s wallet address is included in the payment requirements provided to buyers. CDP’s Wallet API is our recommended option for programmatic payments and secure key management.

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Summary

  • Wallets enable programmatic, permissionless payments in x402.
  • Buyers use wallets to pay for services.
  • Sellers use wallets to receive payments.
  • Wallet addresses also act as unique identifiers within the protocol.
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