X402 Protocol

Vara Network supports the X402 payment protocol, enabling developers to build monetizable APIs and services with seamless micropayments.

Overview

X402 is an open standard for HTTP-based payments developed by Coinbase. It uses the HTTP 402 "Payment Required" status code to enable pay-per-request API access, content paywalls, and agentic commerce.

When a client requests a paid resource, the server responds with a 402 status and payment details. The client then includes payment information via the X-PAYMENT header in subsequent requests.

Key Features

• Native token support — accepts both VARA and VFT (Vara Fungible Tokens)
• Framework integrations — ready-to-use middleware for Express.js, Next.js, and Axios interceptors
• Low-cost micropayments — Vara's sub-second block times and minimal fees make per-request payments practical
• Protocol compliance — full compatibility with the X402 specification

How It Works

1. Client requests a resource from a server
2. Server responds with 402 Payment Required and payment instructions
3. Client prepares and submits a payment payload
4. Server verifies payment via the x402 facilitator's /verify and /settle endpoints
5. Upon successful verification, server provides the requested resource

The facilitator handles payment verification and on-chain settlement, so developers don't need direct blockchain infrastructure.

Use Cases

• API monetization — charge per request for AI/ML inference, data feeds, oracles, or computational services
• Content paywalls — direct payments to content creators without intermediaries
• Agentic commerce — enable AI agents to pay for API calls, data queries, and services autonomously

Resources