Stripe has taken a major step toward the future of online shopping by launching Instant Checkout in ChatGPT and introducing a new framework called the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP).
The update marks a turning point in how artificial intelligence, payments, and e-commerce come together to create a seamless, conversation-driven shopping experience.
What is Instant Checkout in ChatGPT
Imagine asking ChatGPT to recommend a pair of sneakers and being able to buy them instantly, without leaving the chat.
That is now possible with Instant Checkout, powered by Stripe.
Users in the United States can browse and purchase single items from merchants on Etsy directly within ChatGPT.
Support for Shopify and other merchants will be added soon.
The process is simple. ChatGPT suggests a product, shows a “Buy” option, and handles payment securely through Stripe without redirecting users to a different website.
This keeps the entire experience inside the conversation, reducing friction and saving time.
The Technology Behind It
Stripe and OpenAI co-developed the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to make this system open and flexible.
ACP is an open standard that allows AI agents like ChatGPT to interact directly with merchant systems while keeping sensitive payment data protected.
It uses a new concept called a Shared Payment Token, a secure key that represents a specific purchase.
This token lets the AI agent complete the payment without ever seeing the customer’s full financial details.
Merchants can choose to use Stripe or integrate ACP with their own systems.
This flexibility encourages more businesses to participate in the new era of AI-driven shopping.
Stripe’s New Stablecoin Tools
Alongside agentic commerce, Stripe also launched Open Issuance, a product that allows businesses to create and manage their own stablecoins.
Through Open Issuance, companies can mint, redeem, and manage reserves for their tokens using Stripe’s APIs.
Stripe is also enabling merchants to accept stablecoins for payments, hold balances, convert between fiat and digital currency, and send cross-border payments, all in one place.
This move strengthens Stripe’s position as a bridge between traditional finance and Web3, especially as global businesses seek faster and cheaper payment options.
Why This Matters
The partnership between Stripe and OpenAI introduces what many are calling agentic commerce. A new way to buy and sell powered by AI.
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Faster and easier shopping
Customers can make purchases directly through conversations without long forms or redirects. -
New revenue channels for merchants
Businesses gain access to ChatGPT’s huge user base, turning everyday chats into shopping opportunities. -
Global accessibility
With stablecoin support, Stripe can help merchants reach international buyers with lower fees and faster settlement. -
Open ecosystem
By keeping ACP open-source, Stripe and OpenAI encourage innovation among developers and other payment providers.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
Agentic commerce could transform e-commerce, but it also raises important questions.
Opportunities
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Merchants can automate sales through AI assistants.
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AI companies gain new ways to monetize their platforms.
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Users enjoy faster, more natural purchasing experiences.
Challenges
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Fraud prevention remains critical as AI begins handling financial actions.
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Merchants must upgrade systems to communicate with AI agents reliably.
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Regulatory attention on stablecoins may affect adoption in some countries.
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Building user trust is essential before people fully embrace AI-assisted buying.
The Bigger Picture
This launch positions Stripe as a leading player in the next phase of online commerce.
By combining payments, AI integration, and digital currency tools, Stripe is creating the infrastructure for AI-native transactions.
OpenAI benefits too, as ChatGPT becomes more than a conversational tool, it becomes a commerce platform where users can explore, decide, and buy instantly.
