DocsStart free
←All use cases

Pay With Locus · USDC wallets on Base

USDC Payments for AI Agents

Enable your AI agents to make secure, auditable USDC payments on Base with programmable spending policies.

Updated

Why USDC for AI agent payments?

USDC is a dollar-pegged stablecoin — USDC targets a value of $1 USD. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, USDC provides predictable pricing for API calls and services. It settles on-chain in seconds, works 24/7, and doesn't require bank accounts or credit card processing. For AI agents that need to transact autonomously, USDC on Base offers a programmable payment rail for on-chain transactions.

How it works with Locus

01

Fund your wallet with USDC

Deposit USDC to your agent's smart wallet on Base. Use Coinbase onramp if you don't have USDC — no exchange needed.

02

Agent calls a tool

Your agent chooses tools across 3337 provider groups through Locus. Each call is priced per use, with current pricing published in the tool catalog.

03

USDC is deducted per transaction

Locus deducts the exact cost from the wallet, enforces your spending policies, and queues the on-chain settlement. The agent gets its response instantly.

Spending controls and audit trails

Every USDC payment made through Locus is governed by your spending policies and logged with the agent's reasoning. You get complete visibility into what your agent is spending and why.

  • •Per-transaction budget limits (e.g., no single call over $1)
  • •Daily, weekly, monthly, and lifetime spending caps
  • •Human-in-the-loop approval for transactions above a threshold
  • •Full transaction history with agent-provided reasoning for each payment

Do I need crypto experience?

No. You can fund your Locus wallet via Coinbase onramp directly in the dashboard — just use a debit card or bank account. Once funded, your agent handles everything. You never need to interact with a blockchain directly. USDC targets $1 per token; market prices can vary.

Related resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a crypto exchange to get USDC?

No. You can fund the wallet via Coinbase onramp in the dashboard with a debit card or bank account.

Is USDC always worth exactly $1?

USDC targets $1 per token, but market prices can vary.

Can I stop an agent from making large payments?

Yes. Set per-transaction limits, daily, weekly, monthly, and lifetime caps, and require human approval above a threshold.

Can I see why my agent paid for something?

Yes. Every payment is logged with the agent's reasoning in the full transaction history.

Get started with USDC paymentsLearn about agent wallets