Definition ∞ The HTTP 402 Standard, often termed “Payment Required,” is an HTTP status code indicating that the requested resource is unavailable due to a payment requirement. While not widely implemented in traditional web protocols, it holds potential significance for decentralized web applications and services that operate on a pay-per-use model. This standard could provide a programmatic way for clients to understand that access is contingent on fulfilling a payment obligation, such as a cryptocurrency transaction. Its formalization and adoption could streamline payment integrations for digital services.
Context ∞ The HTTP 402 Standard is currently a topic of renewed interest within the context of web3 and decentralized services that aim to monetize content or API access directly. Discussions are exploring how this status code can be integrated with cryptocurrency payment gateways and smart contracts to automate access control based on token ownership or transaction completion. A key challenge involves establishing standardized payment protocols and interoperability between web browsers, servers, and blockchain payment systems. Future applications may see this standard facilitate seamless, automated payments for digital resources.