4:26 pm - February 28, 2026
- Cloudflare updates its open x402 payment-gated proxy template to support wider micropayment use
- The x402 protocol aims to facilitate programme‑not‑state payments for APIs and content
- The move aligns with broader initiatives to normalise on‑chain and tokenised payments on the web
Cloudflare is expanding its push to make paid access to web content easier to implement, updating its open x402 payment-gated proxy template as part of a broader effort to normalise micropayments for publishers and developers.
The update strengthens Cloudflare’s case that small, per-request payments can work at web scale as automated traffic grows and traditional advertising economics weaken.
At the centre of the effort is x402, an open payment standard built around the HTTP 402 Payment Required status code. The protocol allows APIs and content to be charged for directly over HTTP, without separate billing systems or long-lived user accounts.
According to Cloudflare’s documentation, requests to protected routes return a 402 response containing payment instructions. Once a client submits a signed payment, it retries the request with proof attached, triggering the proxy to issue a short-lived authentication cookie that allows further access without repeated payment.
The work sits alongside Cloudflare’s wider attempts to standardise tokenised and on-chain payments. In September 2025, Cloudflare and Coinbase announced the creation of the x402 Foundation to steward an open internet payment protocol designed to be neutral on geography and payment method.
Cloudflare has already applied the same model to automated access through its Pay Per Crawl initiative, which lets site owners set prices for bots and agents at a per-zone or per-request level. The x402 proxy is designed to be transparent to origin servers, intercepting only protected paths and forwarding authenticated requests as if no payment layer existed.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://ppc.land/cloudflare-updates-x402-template-as-micropayments-gain-traction/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.cloudflare.com/press/press-releases/2025/cloudflare-and-coinbase-will-launch-x402-foundation/ – In September 2025, Cloudflare and Coinbase announced the creation of the x402 Foundation, aiming to develop an open Internet standard for digital payments. This initiative seeks to simplify online transactions by establishing a consistent protocol for sending and receiving payments, enabling website owners, developers, and content creators to monetize their services more effectively. The foundation’s goal is to provide a standardized method for payment requests and responses, facilitating easier transactions regardless of geography, currency, or payment method. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of standardized payment solutions in the digital economy.
- https://developers.cloudflare.com/agents/x402/ – The x402 protocol is an open payment standard developed by Cloudflare that allows services to charge for access to their APIs and content directly over HTTP. Built around the HTTP 402 Payment Required status code, it enables clients to programmatically pay for resources without the need for accounts, sessions, or credential management. This protocol is designed to facilitate micropayments and streamline the monetization process for web services, offering a more efficient and secure method for content creators and developers to generate revenue from their offerings.
- https://blog.cloudflare.com/introducing-pay-per-crawl/ – In June 2025, Cloudflare introduced ‘Pay Per Crawl,’ a feature that enables content owners to charge AI crawlers for access to their content. This initiative addresses the challenges posed by AI crawlers that consume vast amounts of web content, often without providing reciprocal benefits to content creators. By implementing Pay Per Crawl, website owners can monetize their content more effectively, setting specific prices for AI crawlers to access their data. This approach empowers content owners to control and profit from automated access to their intellectual property.
- https://developers.cloudflare.com/ai-crawl-control/features/pay-per-crawl/what-is-pay-per-crawl/ – Pay Per Crawl is a feature of Cloudflare’s AI Crawl Control that allows site owners to control and monetize AI crawler access to their content by setting a price per zone. This feature is currently in closed beta, with plans to expand in the future. It enables content owners to define specific prices for AI crawlers to access their data, providing a mechanism to monetize content and manage automated access effectively. The initiative aims to empower content owners to profit from automated access to their intellectual property.
- https://developers.cloudflare.com/ai-crawl-control/features/pay-per-crawl/use-pay-per-crawl-as-ai-owner/crawl-pages/ – This Cloudflare documentation provides guidance for AI owners on how to crawl pages protected by the Pay Per Crawl feature. It outlines the steps AI crawlers should follow to access content that requires payment, including identifying payment requirements, accessing paid content, and including necessary headers for authentication. The document emphasizes the importance of compliance with Web Bot Auth and proper payment headers to successfully retrieve content from websites implementing Pay Per Crawl. This resource is essential for AI developers seeking to navigate and integrate with Cloudflare’s monetization protocols.
- https://developers.cloudflare.com/changelog/2025-07-28-br-pricing/ – In July 2025, Cloudflare introduced pricing for its Browser Rendering API, offering a free tier and a pay-as-you-go model that scales with user needs. The pricing structure includes charges based on browser usage duration and concurrency, with specific rates for additional browser hours and concurrent browsers beyond the included usage. This change reflects Cloudflare’s commitment to providing scalable and flexible solutions for developers, enabling them to render web pages in a browser environment efficiently. The new pricing model aims to accommodate various use cases and workloads, offering cost-effective options for users.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references Cloudflare’s recent initiatives, including the x402 Foundation announced on September 23, 2025. ([cloudflare.com](https://www.cloudflare.com/press/press-releases/2025/cloudflare-and-coinbase-will-launch-x402-foundation/?utm_source=openai)) The latest update in the article is from mid-2025, indicating that the content is relatively fresh. However, the article was published on January 14, 2026, which is over 7 days ago, so this check scores 9. No evidence of recycled content or discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes was found.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article does not contain any direct quotes, suggesting that the content is original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from ppc.land, a specialized publication focusing on pay-per-click and digital marketing topics. While it is not a mainstream news outlet, it is a niche source with expertise in the subject matter. The article cites reputable sources, including Cloudflare’s official documentation and press releases. However, the lack of broader coverage from major news organizations may affect the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Cloudflare’s x402 protocol and its collaboration with Coinbase to establish the x402 Foundation are consistent with information from official sources. ([cloudflare.com](https://www.cloudflare.com/press/press-releases/2025/cloudflare-and-coinbase-will-launch-x402-foundation/?utm_source=openai)) The technical details provided align with Cloudflare’s known initiatives in the field of internet infrastructure and payment systems. No inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and original report on Cloudflare’s developments in the x402 protocol and its collaboration with Coinbase. The content is well-supported by reputable sources and aligns with known information, with no significant issues identified.
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