• Cloudflare plans to launch NET Dollar to support fast payments between AI agents and online services.
• The stablecoin will allow microtransactions and real-time settlements across global digital platforms.
• NET Dollar aims to replace slow banking systems with instant payments powered by Cloudflare’s global network.

Cloudflare has announced plans to launch NET Dollar, a US dollar-backed stablecoin designed for AI-driven payments. The company aims to use the stablecoin as a core layer for financial transactions on the internet. The focus is on fast, automated payments triggered by autonomous AI agents. These agents handle tasks like booking services, ordering goods, or managing schedules.

The stablecoin will support real-time settlement and enable microtransactions globally. According to Cloudflare, the NET Dollar will be fully backed by US dollars and built for cross-border use. The goal is to create an efficient payment layer suited for the evolving digital landscape.

Shift Toward the Agentic Web

NET Dollar is intended to serve a future internet where AI agents operate independently. These agents will manage actions such as purchasing tickets, paying for data access, or making small purchases. Cloudflare believes traditional banking systems and early cryptocurrency solutions are too slow and expensive for these use cases.

The new stablecoin is expected to offer real-time, programmable transactions between agents and online services. Cloudflare’s global infrastructure already supports massive internet traffic. It plans to use this foundation to accelerate and secure payment processes across different regions and currencies.

Support for Creators and Developers

Cloudflare sees NET Dollar as more than a payment tool. The company plans to use it to build new business models for online work. This includes paying creators for original content and allowing developers to monetize digital services. AI firms could also use it to compensate data providers directly.

This approach supports a pay-per-use model that replaces older systems based on advertising or delayed bank transfers. Cloudflare aims to make small, frequent payments a normal part of how services operate online. The infrastructure will allow fractional payments that legacy financial systems cannot handle efficiently.

Industry-Wide Movement Toward AI Payments

Cloudflare is not the only company investing in AI-driven payment tools. Google recently introduced its own protocol supporting AI and stablecoin transactions. Other companies in Asia and the U.S. have also launched regulated stablecoins linked to national currencies.

Cloudflare is working with open standards such as the Agent Payments Protocol and x402 to ensure interoperability. It considers a universal payment layer essential for the next phase of internet growth. The company has not announced an official launch date for NET Dollar. Earlier this year, Tether also launched a new platform called QVAC to run AI directly on user devices. This eliminates the need for cloud computing.

However, its website states the new stablecoin will be available soon. The current stablecoin market cap nears $300 billion, with new entrants joining established players like Tether and Circle.