Cardano is introducing new integrations that could redefine its role within the digital economy. Its founder, Charles Hoskinson, called the development “very important for Cardano” after confirming that the network will integrate the x402 protocol alongside Masumi, a platform built on its infrastructure focused on the AI Agent Economy.
The x402 protocol, based on the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” code, enables automatic and verifiable payments through APIs without the need for registration, emails, or complex authentications.
Developed by Coinbase and integrated into Google’s Agent-Payment Protocol (AP2), it introduces a system that facilitates economic exchange between digital services and agents. According to Patrick Tobbler, founder of NMKR and developer of the Masumi Network, this integration turns Cardano into a network capable of functioning as a financial backbone, offering native and automated payments between digital entities without the need for intermediaries.
This advancement is crucial to positioning Cardano as an infrastructure built for decentralized applications and AI-related use cases. Hoskinson emphasized that incorporating x402 is key to connecting the blockchain with a new generation of digital services that require interoperability and embedded payment mechanisms.
Cardano Continues Developing New Technologies
Input Output Global (IOG), Cardano’s main developer, confirmed that the Ouroboros Leios consensus protocol has moved from the research phase to active engineering. Leios proposes a full redesign aimed at increasing the network’s scalability and performance without compromising security — a key step toward its real implementation within the ecosystem.
Cardano has also strengthened its institutional presence. ADA was included in the Grayscale CoinDesk Crypto 5 ETF (GDLC), the first multi-asset crypto fund in the United States listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The ETF includes the five largest and most liquid cryptocurrencies — Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and ADA — covering more than 90% of the market’s total capitalization.
The network founded by Hoskinson is preparing to integrate automated payments, achieve interoperability among digital agents, and deliver scalable solutions — advancing toward a fully connected and functional blockchain infrastructure.