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The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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Sign InIn a move reflecting the accelerating infrastructure of the AI-driven digital economy, Visa, Google, and Stripe have joined the x402 Foundation as premier members. This alliance, an affiliate of the Linux Foundation, aims to develop a standardized open protocol for machine-to-machine payments. The initiative seeks to enable AI agents to pay each other or humans directly, eliminating the need for manual card entry or traditional subscription models.
This collaboration comes as competition intensifies for leadership in future payment systems, with Visa strengthening its position against peers like Mastercard, whose stock (MA) reached $551.54 per market data. Google’s role in shaping new web standards is also pivotal, while companies like Microsoft and Apple continue to develop closed ecosystems, with MSFT closing at $401.1 and AAPL at $333.26 (close July 16, 2026).
Regarding price levels, Visa (V) closed at $365.14, while Google (GOOGL) settled at $354.46 (close July 16, 2026). Traders are currently monitoring technical updates on the maturity of the x402 protocol, alongside anticipating Fed Bowman’s speech on July 13, which may provide insights into the regulatory outlook for emerging fintech technologies.