Cloudflare, the leading connectivity cloud company powering over 20% of global web traffic, has unveiled NET Dollar, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin designed to facilitate instant, secure transactions in an AI-driven internet economy. Announced on September 25, 2025, the stablecoin aims to support micropayments, fractional transactions, and machine-to-machine payments for autonomous AI agents, positioning Cloudflare as a key player in the emerging “agentic web.” For fintech innovators, AI developers, and crypto enthusiasts searching Cloudflare NET Dollar stablecoin, AI agent payments 2025, or Cloudflare crypto launch, NET Dollar is fully collateralized by U.S. dollars and will integrate with emerging internet payment standards like x402, enabling a shift from ad-based models to pay-per-use economies that reward originality and creativity.
CEO Matthew Prince emphasized that the stablecoin will “modernize the payment ecosystem” for an internet where AI agents transact autonomously, potentially replacing ads and traditional bank transfers with seamless, global micropayments. While no exact launch date has been specified, Cloudflare indicates NET Dollar will be available soon, aligning with the stablecoin market’s projected growth to $1.9 trillion by 2030.
What is NET Dollar? A Stablecoin for the Agentic Web
NET Dollar is a fully collateralized stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, built to enable fast, low-cost transactions across currencies, geographies, and time zones. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, it maintains price stability through reserves, making it ideal for the “agentic web”—an internet where autonomous AI agents perform tasks like micropayments without human intervention.
Core features:
- Instant Transactions: Enables pay-per-use and fractional payments, replacing ads with direct value exchange.
- AI Agent Support: Facilitates machine-to-machine micropayments, such as AI agents buying or selling content autonomously.
- Interoperability: Compatible with emerging standards like x402 for open internet payments, working alongside traditional systems.
Prince explained: “Stablecoin is one of many tools that, alongside existing financial systems, can help the AI-driven Internet thrive, with speed, trust, and interoperability.”
| Feature | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Dollar Peg | 1:1 Backed by USD Reserves | Price Stability for Global Trade |
| Micropayments | Fractional, Instant Settlements | AI Agent Transactions |
| x402 Integration | Open Internet Standard | Cross-Network Compatibility |
Market Context: Stablecoins in the AI Era
The announcement arrives amid a stablecoin renaissance, with the market projected to reach $1.9 trillion by 2030 (bull case $4 trillion), driven by AI agents needing efficient payment rails. Cloudflare’s entry—following Google’s x402 and Hyperliquid’s USD-pegged token—positions NET Dollar as a web-native solution for the “agentic web.”
- Competitive Landscape: Joins Tether’s US-focused stablecoin and Citi/Bank of America explorations.
- Business Model Shift: Aims to “shift incentives toward original content,” potentially disrupting ad revenue models.
- Regulatory Tailwinds: US GENIUS Act’s clarity accelerates stablecoin launches.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While ambitious, NET Dollar must navigate regulatory scrutiny, adoption barriers, and competition from USDC or PYUSD. Cloudflare’s x402 Foundation with Coinbase could standardize payments, but proving utility in the agentic web is key.
Prince envisions: “Stablecoin transactions could replace ads and bank transfers as the internet’s core business model.”
Conclusion: NET Dollar’s Bold Bet on AI Payments
Cloudflare’s NET Dollar stablecoin is a visionary leap, tailoring USD stability for AI agents and micropayments in a $1.9 trillion market. As the “agentic web” emerges, it could redefine internet economics. For stablecoin watchers, it’s a must-track—will it power the next wave of digital transactions? The reserves are ready. yahoo
