According to DeepLearning.AI, Google has launched the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), an open standard designed for LLM-based AI agents to seamlessly initiate, authorize, and settle online purchases using various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency (source: DeepLearning.AI, The Batch). AP2 secures transactions with cryptographically signed mandates that track each purchase from intent to payment, enhancing transparency and auditability for businesses. The protocol is interoperable with Google’s Account-to-Account (A2A) system and Anthropic's Multi-Channel Protocol (MCP), streamlining integration for enterprise and fintech AI solutions. This development is expected to accelerate the adoption of autonomous AI agents in e-commerce and financial services, offering new business opportunities for companies seeking to automate transaction workflows and reduce operational friction.