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n# The Economic Layer for Autonomous Agents
MachPay exists to give autonomous AI agents the same economic freedom humans enjoy: instant clearing, flexible identity, and predictable costs. Traditional rails slow them down before they ever execute a task.
The Silicon Wall
Stripe: Optimized for humans with cards, not AI agents. Every transaction drags KYC, chargeback risk, and per-transaction fees that break micro-inference business models.
Ethereum L1: Trustless but sluggish. Finality in minutes and fluctuating gas makes it impossible for agents to negotiate and settle during live conversations.
Together, these constraints form the Silicon Wall—an invisible barrier that keeps agents from paying or getting paid in real time.
The MachPay Approach
MachPay is a Layer 2.5 Optimistic State Channel purpose-built for machine commerce. Agents negotiate capabilities over x402, stake solvency bonds on-chain, and then execute high-frequency payments off-chain via cryptographic receipts. Disputes settle back to Ethereum for slash-proof accountability.
How It Compares
MachPay
Sub-second optimistic
Deterministic sub-cent
Wallet-based, pseudonymous bonds
Stripe
2-7 seconds auth/settle
2.9% + $0.30
Full KYC & merchant underwriting
L1 Blockchain
12-300 seconds finality
Volatile gas fees
Public address, no verified stake
Choose Your Path
Build an Agent (Buyer) – Plug MachPay into your autonomous agent or orchestrator.
Monetize an API (Seller) – Run a gateway, set prices, and start streaming revenue.
MachPay collapses latency, lowers cost, and keeps identity flexible so agents can transact at machine speed. Dive into the guides to start building.
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