TLDR: Cloudflare has introduced NET Dollar, a new U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, designed to facilitate instant, secure, and global microtransactions for the emerging AI-powered internet economy, often referred to as the ‘agentic web.’ This initiative aims to enable autonomous AI agents, developers, and creators to conduct seamless, real-time payments, shifting away from traditional ad-based models.
Cloudflare, the internet infrastructure giant, announced on September 25, 2025, the launch of ‘NET Dollar,’ a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin. This new digital currency is poised to become a foundational payment layer for the burgeoning AI-driven internet economy, specifically targeting the ‘agentic web’ where autonomous AI agents perform tasks and transactions on behalf of users.
The company’s strategic move addresses the inherent limitations of existing payment systems, including traditional bank transfers and even first-generation cryptocurrencies, which are often too slow and costly for the demands of machine-to-machine transactions and micro-level payments. NET Dollar is engineered to support instant, secure, and globally accessible transactions, enabling new business models centered around pay-per-use, fractional payments, and microtransactions.
Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, emphasized the shift in the internet’s economic paradigm. “The Internet’s next business model will be powered by pay-per-use, fractional payments, and microtransactions, tools that shift incentives toward original, creative content that actually adds value,” Prince stated. He added, “By using our global network, we are going to help modernize the financial rails needed to move money at the speed of the Internet, helping to create a more open and valuable Internet for everyone.”
NET Dollar’s primary focus is to empower autonomous agents to execute transactions seamlessly. This includes a wide range of applications, such as AI agents booking flights, ordering groceries, managing calendars, or interacting with APIs in real-time. For creators, the stablecoin promises instant royalties for AI-generated content, while businesses could automate supplier payments upon delivery confirmation.
Cloudflare is also actively contributing to the development of open payment standards, such as x402 (co-developed with Coinbase) and the Agent Payments Protocol. This commitment to interoperability is crucial for fostering a robust ecosystem where payments can be sent and received across various geographies and currencies with ease.
Industry analysts note that Cloudflare’s entry into the stablecoin market reflects a broader trend among Web2 firms, following similar initiatives by companies like PayPal (PYUSD) and Stripe (Tempo blockchain). The stablecoin market, valued at over $295 billion as of September 2025, is projected for rapid growth, driven by increasing institutional adoption and clearer regulatory frameworks like the U.S. GENIUS Act. While specific technical details regarding NET Dollar’s underlying blockchain remain undisclosed, Cloudflare’s FAQ indicates a near-term launch timeline.
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This initiative marks a significant expansion for Cloudflare, moving beyond its traditional role in connectivity services to redefine the payments infrastructure for the AI era. The company aims to provide the essential financial rails that match the speed and demands of the modern, AI-driven web.
