Cloudflare Inc. announced on September 25 that it will launch a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin called NET Dollar, aiming to provide faster and more secure transactions for a web increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
The San Francisco-based company, best known for its cloud and security services, said NET Dollar is designed to support automated payments between AI agents, developers, and online creators. The stablecoin will operate on Cloudflare’s global network and is intended to handle instant, programmable transactions across borders.
Addressing Payments for AI Agents
Cloudflare officials said the rise of autonomous AI agents — used to book flights, order groceries, or manage schedules — requires a financial system capable of executing transactions without delays. Current Internet payment systems, which rely heavily on advertising revenue and traditional banking transfers, are not built for real-time, micro-level exchanges, the company said.
“By using our global network, we are going to help modernise the financial rails needed to move money at the speed of the Internet, helping to create a more open and valuable Internet for everyone,” co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince said in a statement. He added that the shift toward microtransactions and pay-per-use services could incentivise original online content and services.
New Business Models for the Internet
The company said NET Dollar could create a path for new revenue streams in the digital economy. Examples include compensating creators for unique content, enabling developers to monetise application programming interfaces, and allowing businesses to automate supplier payments when deliveries are confirmed.
Cloudflare positioned the initiative as part of its broader goal of building an open and sustainable Internet economy. Stablecoins such as NET Dollar, the company said, can coexist with existing payment systems while enabling global transactions that are transparent and verifiable.
Industry Standards and Interoperability
Cloudflare also announced participation in efforts to establish technical standards for online payments. The company is contributing to the Agent Payments Protocol and x402 standards, which are designed to simplify how payments are sent and received on the Internet.
The introduction of NET Dollar comes as companies across technology and finance explore the use of digital assets to meet the demands of AI-driven services. While Cloudflare did not specify a launch date, the company said the stablecoin will play a central role in helping modernise the financial infrastructure of the Internet.
