ToolRelay is an x402-native middleware layer. We wrap the APIs that agents actually use first — search and web extraction — behind pay-per-call payment gates. No API keys. No subscriptions. One HTTP round-trip, one USDC settlement.
Agents need to search the web and read URLs before they can act. Today that means juggling multiple SDKs, API keys, billing relationships, and bespoke fallback logic. We replaced it with one base URL and HTTP 402.
Every endpoint has a primary and fallback provider. Every call is atomic: request, pay, receive. Clean JSON in, clean JSON out.
The x402 protocol turns the HTTP 402 status code into a real settlement primitive. Agents that hold a wallet can pay for resources as naturally as browsers follow a 301. No OAuth, no signup forms, no per-vendor onboarding.
Settlement is USDC on Base. We picked Base for low fees and fast confirmation; USDC because it's the asset agents already hold.