// GLOSSARY -- AGENTIC FINANCE
What are Stablecoin Payments?
Using price-stable cryptocurrencies (USDC, USDT) pegged to fiat for transactions. Preferred by agents for predictable value, instant settlement, and programmable interfaces.
WHY IT MATTERS
Agents need predictable costs. Volatile crypto makes budgeting impossible. Stablecoins maintain consistent dollar value.
Properties agents need: programmable, fast (seconds on L2s), cheap (fractions of a cent), global. Ideal for agent rails.
USDC on Base is the default for x402 and agent commerce standard. Agent stablecoin volume could rival human usage.
HOW POLICYLAYER USES THIS
PolicyLayer controls agent stablecoin payments — the primary currency of agent commerce. Stablecoin-denominated policies provide stable enforcement.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why USDC over USDT?
USDC has better regulatory standing, transparent reserves, and is the default for x402/Base ecosystem. USDT has larger market cap. Both work with PolicyLayer.
What about non-dollar stablecoins?
EURC and other currency stablecoins are emerging. PolicyLayer supports any ERC-20 stablecoin with appropriate price feeds.
Depeg risk?
PolicyLayer can detect depeg events and pause agent transactions automatically to prevent spending devalued tokens at face value.