The landscape of Web3 is on the brink of significant change, driven by advancements designed for the machine economy. HTX Ventures has released a new report highlighting two emerging standards—x402 and ERC-8004—that could shape the next era of blockchain and online interaction. As automation and AI become more prevalent, these developments may define the fundamental infrastructure for tomorrow’s internet.
How x402 and ERC-8004 Could Reshape the Future of Web3
In its latest research, HTX Ventures examines the roles of x402 and ERC-8004 in Web3’s evolution. These standards address how machines can carry out payments and build trust autonomously. x402 makes online payments a protocol feature by reviving HTTP 402 (“Payment Required”), allowing automated servers and clients to handle payments directly using stablecoins. At the same time, ERC-8004 provides a framework for recording, verifying, and building reputations for machine agents. This dual approach enables machines to participate in economic activities transparently and independently.
Machine Users and the Changing Demands on Network Infrastructure
The report notes a fundamental shift in internet usage patterns. Increasingly, the primary users of the network are not people, but machines—such as automation scripts, APIs, and AI agents. Unlike humans, machines require seamless, automated, and verifiable execution. Existing Web2 systems, constructed for manual human transactions, struggle to scale and support this new level of machine interactivity. In contrast, Web3’s programmable payments and on-chain identity align with these new requirements. This alignment sets the stage for a major technical inflection point.
HTX Ventures Predicts the Next Phase for the Machine Economy
According to HTX Ventures, market downturns often create space for core infrastructure innovation. The report argues that x402 and ERC-8004 work in tandem to form a closed loop that supports payment, execution, verification, and cooperation for machines. Therefore, machinery will move from passive tools to active economic actors—with responsibilities and trusted digital reputations. Even if their adoption is not immediate, these standards will help lay the groundwork for Web3’s next growth phase.
As the machine economy rapidly evolves, HTX Ventures believes standards like x402 and ERC-8004 will provide the foundation for future automated systems. Machines are set to become the dominant users of the web, and these upgrades could mark a new chapter for Web3—shifting from human interaction to seamless, machine-driven economic participation.
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