How an AI Agent Pays $0.01 for Live SEC Data — Without an API Key (opens in new tab)

How an AI Agent Pays $0.01 for Live SEC Data — Without an API Key AI agents need real-world data to be useful. The problem: most data providers require API keys, monthly billing accounts, and rate-limit agreements negotiated by a human. That model breaks down when agents are autonomous — no human to sign up, no process to rotate keys, no budget owner to approve a subscription. There's a better pattern. What x402 Is x402 is an HTTP-native micropayment protocol built on Base mainnet. Instead of...