Eric Lepel, head of engineering at Coinbase, supplied a glimpse into how synthetic intelligence may reshape the web's economics, arguing that AI brokers may drive a shift away from the online's advertising-driven enterprise mannequin.
Talking on stage at Consensus Miami 2026, Reppel, founding father of the x402 cost protocol and head of engineering for the Coinbase Developer Platform, stated the web was initially constructed round people interacting with web sites, not software program interacting with software program.
“The Web was designed for human use,” Leppel stated. “We now reside in a world the place each people and computer systems function, and computer systems function computer systems.”
Lepel stated as we speak's net economic system depends closely on promoting income generated from individuals visiting web sites and viewing commercials. However AI brokers bypass that system solely, he says.
“Brokers aren't seeing these advertisements. They simply fully ignore these advertisements,” he stated.
This dynamic may push the web in the direction of new monetization fashions constructed round native digital funds, notably micropayments powered by stablecoins.
“When a human visits a web site, we present them an advert. When an agent visits a web site, we cost them 5 cents,” Lepel stated.
He envisioned x402, an open funds protocol constructed across the long-defunct HTTP 402 “Cost Required” standing code, because the infrastructure of that future. The protocol is designed to allow AI brokers to make automated funds for APIs, content material, and digital companies utilizing crypto rails.
Lepel stated the rise of autonomous AI programs, or what he known as “surrogate economies,” may create an enormous new marketplace for internet-native funds. He cited estimates that the sector may develop from $3 trillion to $5 trillion inside 4 years.
The feedback mirror broader efforts inside the cryptocurrency trade to place stablecoins and blockchain-based funds because the foundational infrastructure for AI-driven commerce.
“The agent is really the browser of the long run,” he stated.
Learn extra: AI brokers are disrupting the online economic system, however Cloudflare says x402 may also help
