Ethereum Foundation Launches zkAPI, Letting Users Pay for AI Model Calls Anonymously
The Ethereum Foundation has released a new tool called zkAPI that allows users to pay for AI model calls without disclosing their identity.
Ethereum Foundation Launches zkAPI, Letting Users Pay for AI Model Calls Anonymously
The Ethereum Foundation has released a new tool called zkAPI, which allows users to pay for AI model calls without disclosing their identity. According to The Block, the solution combines zero-knowledge proofs with the payment process, enabling callers to complete settlement without submitting identifiable information.
The design targets a common problem in current AI model payment flows: identity binding. Most platforms require users to register accounts and link payment methods, which means call records can be traced back to specific individuals or organizations. zkAPI attempts to strip away identity linkage while preserving payment verifiability.
For AI agents and machine-to-machine payment scenarios, balancing anonymity with auditability has long been a hurdle to implementation. If zkAPI can be adopted by model service providers, agents calling paid models may be able to reduce their reliance on centralized account systems. However, actual adoption will still depend on developers' willingness to integrate and the tolerance of the regulatory environment.
Source: https://www.theblock.co/news/defi/2026-10-01-ethereum-foundation-launches-zkapi-417504
Provenance & status
- Byline
- OceanAlt Editorial
- First published
- 2026-10-02
- Last updated
- 2026-10-02
- Content type
- Newsflash
- Source material
- View original ↗
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