Lightning Labs launches pi402 for Bitcoin-paid AI inference

Nov 12, 2026 23:06 (3h ago)

Verifying

Lightning Labs launched the open-source pi402 extension for AI coding agents.
pi402 supports direct Bitcoin payments for inference costs over the Lightning Network.
The tool works without account sign-ups, API keys or credit cards, Crypto Briefing reported.

Lightning Labs has launched pi402, an open-source extension that enables AI coding agents to pay inference costs directly in Bitcoin through the Lightning Network (a fast Bitcoin payment network). The tool allows agents to check service pricing, make payments and continue their work without account sign-ups, API keys or credit cards. Its underlying L402 protocol combines HTTP's "402 Payment Required" response with Bitcoin payment invoices on the Lightning Network, Crypto Briefing reported.