Choosing an Agentic Commerce Approach

One purchase requirement routed to AP2, ACP, x402, or network tokens by need

Choosing an Agentic Commerce Approach One purchase requirement routed to AP2, ACP, x402, or network tokens by need 01 / Requirement 02 / Route by need 03 / Approach 04 / Settlement Purchase need · agent must pay · 01 / Requirement · input Purchase need agent must pay input Requirement router · classify by need · 02 / Route by need · decision Requirement router classify by need decision ACP · agentic checkout · 03 / Approach · sell in AI surface ACP agentic checkout sell in AI surface Network tokens · scoped credential · 03 / Approach · card reach Network tokens scoped credential card reach AP2 · signed mandate chain · 03 / Approach · portable proof AP2 signed mandate chain portable proof x402 · HTTP 402 onchain · 03 / Approach · micropayment x402 HTTP 402 onchain micropayment Card rails · auth, clearing, disputes · 04 / Settlement · chargebacks Card rails auth, clearing, disputes chargebacks Onchain settlement · stablecoins, final · 04 / Settlement · no chargeback Onchain settlement stablecoins, final no chargeback pays intent + limits AI surface? merchant feed card reach? acceptance portable proof? audit trail micro pay? API metering card token card auth tokenized PAN card auth x402 extension any rail facilitator stablecoin Legend primary data policy / PII async batch data store

One requirement, four routes

  • • A purchase need carries intent, amount, and spending limits
  • • The router matches the need to the approach that fits it
  • • Routing is by need, not a strict winner-takes-all choice

Approaches overlap

  • • AP2 issues portable signed mandates that any rail can honor
  • • ACP and network tokens both ride existing card rails
  • • x402 settles onchain and can back an AP2 mandate as an extension

Where value settles

  • • Card rails bring reach, acceptance, and chargeback rights
  • • Onchain settlement is final and fee-light for micropayments
  • • The same need can settle on either rail depending on route

Data-flow diagram • Built with Archify • Create yours ↗ • Hover to trace • R route • Click to focus • +/− zoom • M radar • [/] views • P play story • T theme • E export