> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.awenetwork.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.awenetwork.ai/infrastructure/overview/payments.md). # Payments ## **x402 Facilitator** **The AWE x402 Facilitator helps applications verify and settle programmatic payments between buyers and sellers.** [x402](https://docs.x402.org/) is an open payment standard built around the HTTP `402 Payment Required` status code. It allows APIs, applications and agent services to charge for individual requests without requiring subscriptions or manual payment flows. ### How an x402 payment works 1. A buyer requests a protected resource. 2. The server responds with `402 Payment Required` and provides payment instructions. 3. The buyer prepares a payment authorization and submits it with the request. 4. The facilitator verifies the authorization and settles the payment onchain. 5. Once the payment is confirmed, the server provides the requested resource. ### Why use a facilitator? Applications can verify and settle x402 payments independently. A facilitator provides this functionality as a service, reducing the blockchain infrastructure that each developer needs to operate. The AWE Facilitator provides standard endpoints for: * **Verification** — Confirm that a payment authorization is valid. * **Settlement** — Submit the authorized payment onchain. * **Status handling** — Return the result to the application so it can provide the requested resource. ### Current support The AWE Facilitator currently supports fee-free USDC payments on Base, allowing sellers to receive the full payment amount without an additional facilitator fee. Standard network costs may still apply. ### What builders can monetize The facilitator can support payments for: * API requests * AI inference * MCP tools * Agent services * Digital content * Usage-based applications AWEtoAgent Kit provides a higher-level framework for adding x402 payments to agent applications. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.awenetwork.ai/infrastructure/overview/payments.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.