CLASP Protocol: The Complete Guide to AI Agent Payments on XRP

What is CLASP Protocol?

CLASP (Claims And Settlement Protocol) is the world's first micropayment system designed specifically for AI agents. Built on XRP's payment channel technology, CLASP enables autonomous software agents to pay for API calls with costs as low as $0.0004 per 10,000 transactions.

Traditional payment systems like credit cards and even modern solutions like Stripe require human oversight, KYC verification, and charge prohibitive fees for microtransactions. CLASP solves this by creating a trustless, automated payment system that allows AI agents to operate independently while maintaining economic accountability.

How CLASP Works: Payment Channel Lifecycle

CLASP leverages XRP's native payment channel functionality to create an efficient layer-2 payment system. Here's how the complete lifecycle works:

1. Channel Creation Phase

The AI agent deposits XRP into a payment channel, receiving a unique channel ID and authentication credentials. This deposit acts as a prepaid balance that can be spent incrementally.

2. Transaction Processing

For each API call, the agent creates a micro-payment that gets processed through the payment channel. The API provider receives immediate payment confirmation without waiting for blockchain settlement.

3. Channel Settlement

Transactions are batched and settled on the XRP ledger periodically (typically daily) to minimize blockchain fees while maintaining real-time payment capabilities.

Why AI Agents Need Their Own Payment Protocol

AI agents represent a fundamentally new type of economic actor that traditional payment systems weren't designed to handle. Here's why existing solutions fall short:

The Credit Card Problem

Credit cards require:

• Human identity verification: AI agents can't provide SSNs or sign legal documents
• Physical cards: Digital agents can't carry plastic
• High minimum fees: 30¢ + 2.9% makes microtransactions impossible
• Manual dispute resolution: Requires human intervention for chargebacks

The API Key Limitation

Traditional API keys create several problems:

• No built-in billing: Usage tracking requires complex external systems
• Binary access: Either full access or none, no granular control
• Security risks: Keys can be leaked or shared without accountability
• Vendor lock-in: Each provider requires separate key management

The Micropayment Challenge

AI agents naturally generate high-frequency, low-value transactions that break traditional payment models:

CLASP solves all these problems by providing a payment system designed from the ground up for autonomous, high-frequency, low-value transactions.

CLASP vs Traditional Payment Systems

Getting Started with CLASP SDK

CLASP is designed for developers who want to add payment capabilities to their AI agents with minimal friction. The SDK is available in Python, Node.js, Go, and Swift.

Quick Start (Python)

# Install
pip install clasp-sdk

# Initialize (3 lines!)
from clasp import Agent
agent = Agent(wallet_seed="your-xrp-seed")
response = agent.call_api("https://api.example.com/search", payment=0.001)

Complete Example

from clasp import Agent, PaymentChannel

# Create agent with XRP wallet
agent = Agent(
    wallet_seed="sEdT9cZ7fLBJQiQKxSZ2QwXgNKj5ZzY",  # Your XRP seed
    network="testnet"  # or "mainnet"
)

# Open payment channel with 10 XRP deposit
channel = agent.open_channel(deposit=10.0)
print(f"Channel opened: {channel.id}")

# Make paid API calls
results = []
for query in ["AI trends", "crypto news", "tech jobs"]:
    response = agent.call_api(
        url="https://api.searchprovider.com/v1/search",
        method="GET",
        params={"q": query},
        payment=0.001  # 1 milliXRP per call
    )
    results.append(response.json())

print(f"Made {len(results)} API calls")
print(f"Total cost: {len(results) * 0.001} XRP")
print(f"Channel balance: {channel.balance} XRP remaining")

Advanced Configuration

# Custom payment policies
agent.configure_payments(
    max_per_call=0.01,        # Maximum 1 centXRP per call
    daily_limit=1.0,          # Maximum 1 XRP per day
    require_receipts=True,     # Always get payment receipts
    auto_refill=True,         # Auto-refill from main wallet
    refill_threshold=2.0,     # Refill when below 2 XRP
    refill_amount=10.0        # Add 10 XRP each refill
)

Real-World Use Cases

Technical Architecture

CLASP is built on a multi-layer architecture that combines the security of blockchain with the efficiency of off-chain computation:

Layer 1: XRP Ledger (Settlement Layer)

• Payment Channels: Native XRP functionality for off-chain transactions
• Multi-signature Security: Cryptographic proof prevents double-spending
• Global Consensus: Decentralized validation of channel states
• Low Fees: ~0.0001 XRP per on-chain transaction

Layer 2: CLASP Protocol (Payment Layer)

• Channel Management: Automated opening, monitoring, and closing of channels
• Transaction Batching: Groups micro-payments for efficient settlement
• Route Optimization: Finds lowest-cost payment paths
• State Synchronization: Keeps all parties updated on channel balances

Layer 3: SDK Layer (Application Layer)

• HTTP Proxy: Intercepts API calls and adds payment headers
• Wallet Integration: Manages XRP keys and signing operations
• Receipt Management: Tracks payments and provides audit trails
• Error Handling: Graceful degradation when payments fail

Security Model

Scalability Features

Pricing & Economics

CLASP uses a transparent, usage-based pricing model that scales with your AI agent's needs:

Total Cost Comparison

Here's how CLASP compares for a typical AI agent making 1 million API calls per month:

For detailed pricing and enterprise discounts, visit our documentation and pricing page.

Frequently Asked Questions