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The AI Payments Revolution Hits San Francisco

The digital landscape is about to witness a monumental transformation as major players come together to launch a groundbreaking hackathon focused on AI-driven transactions. This exciting event, the Agentic Commerce x402 Hackathon, is set to take place from February 11 to 13, 2026, in San Francisco and promises a compelling $50,000 prize pool for innovative developers.

Organized by SKALE Network in partnership with tech giants like Google, Coinbase, Virtuals, Edge & Node, and Vodafone's Pairpoint, the hackathon is open to participants of all skill levels. Developers can register now through Dorahacks, emphasising the versatility and inclusivity of the event. The primary aim of the hackathon is to help build real-world applications that leverage autonomous agents to improve transaction efficiencies.

The Rise of Agentic Commerce

As the demand for autonomous agents grows, the need for reliable payment systems is becoming crucial. Agentic commerce, which relies on these autonomous agents to handle various transactions seamlessly, is on the brink of mainstream adoption. This hackathon aims to bridge the gap between experimental technology and actual implementation in business workflows.

According to Nalin Mittal, Google's Product Manager for Web3, this event will foster the development of essential tools that facilitate the transition from prototype to production environments. He highlighted the exciting potential of combining agent capabilities with real commerce workflows, indicating that the innovations from this hackathon could significantly impact future payment systems.

Likewise, Jack O'Holleran, Co-Founder and CEO of SKALE Labs, noted that the intersection of on-chain technology and autonomous processes demands robust and secure transaction methods. The hackathon serves as an incubator for experimentation, where developers can test their ideas using the unique capabilities of SKALE’s gas-free infrastructure and x402 payment standards.

Collaboration with Notable Industry Leaders

The hackathon is supported by distinguished entities that bring powerful tools into play. Participants will benefit from:

• - SKALE’s zero-cost, instantaneous transaction capabilities underpinned by the privacy-focused BITE protocol.
• - Google Cloud’s interoperability solutions via A2A and AP2 standards.
• - Coinbase’s x402 standard tailored for internet-native autonomous payments.
• - Virtuals’ Agent Launchpad, facilitating the creation and deployment of agents.
• - Edge & Node’s management tools for agent payment workflows.
• - Vodafone Business’ global networking and IoT capabilities.

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

The hackathon's format includes both in-person and online participation, making it accessible for a wider audience. The main hacking sessions will be hosted at the House of Web3, a collaborative workspace designed to nurture blockchain and AI development. The participants can present their projects to a panel of esteemed judges from the agentic commerce industry, promising recognition and rewards for the most exceptional innovations.

As the blockchain space continues to evolve, the Agentic Commerce x402 Hackathon stands as a testament to the potential synergy between AI and payment technologies. Developers are encouraged to push the boundaries of how agents can streamline transactions and create new revenue models for businesses.

For those interested in participating, further details and registration can be found at Dorahacks.

About SKALE Labs

Founded in 2017, SKALE Labs operates the SKALE Network, a gas-free, EVM-compatible blockchain designed to simplify the adoption of Web3 technologies. With notable achievements such as processing over 1.8 billion transactions, SKALE aims to enhance performance in gaming, AI agents, and various other applications, all while ensuring user privacy.

As we approach the hackathon dates, developers are reminded that opportunities to innovate and redefine commerce are just around the corner. Together, the leading innovators in technology are set to cultivate a future where payments are not just transactions but seamless, intelligent interactions.