Klarna Deepens Strategic Partnership with Google to Advance the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) and Shape the Future of Intelligent Commerce
Klarna, the global digital bank and leader in flexible payment solutions, has announced an expanded collaboration with Google in support of the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) — an open standard initiative aimed at enabling secure, agent-led payments across the evolving landscape of digital commerce. This development signifies a crucial step toward a more intelligent, interoperable, and trustworthy payments infrastructure that will define how consumers and businesses transact in an era increasingly shaped by AI agents and automation.
The announcement reinforces Klarna’s long-standing strategic relationship with Google — a partnership that has spanned several key integrations over the years, including Google Pay, Chrome’s autofill payments feature, the Google Store, Google Play, and Google Cloud. The new collaboration extends that foundation into the emerging frontier of agent-led commerce, an area poised to revolutionize how consumers interact with digital platforms, payment systems, and smart assistants.
Building the Framework for Agent-Led Commerce
At its core, the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) is designed to create an open, secure, and scalable framework that allows intelligent digital agents — such as AI-powered virtual assistants — to make payments safely and transparently on behalf of users. This capability represents the next evolution in digital commerce, one that merges automation with accountability and personalization.
As consumers increasingly rely on AI-driven tools to manage purchases, subscriptions, and financial tasks, AP2 aims to standardize how those agents initiate and complete transactions. The goal is to ensure that every payment, whether conducted by a human or an AI intermediary, adheres to the same standards of trust, transparency, and compliance.
Klarna’s endorsement of this protocol represents not only a technological partnership but also a strategic alignment of values. Both Klarna and Google share a commitment to building digital ecosystems that prioritize user security, financial transparency, and seamless experiences across devices and platforms.
“Agent-led commerce represents an exciting new frontier, one that demands transparency, trust, and smarter payment experiences,” said David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Klarna. “We’re doubling down on our long-standing relationship with Google to support their work with AP2 and help define an open, responsible payments architecture for the future of shopping.”
Klarna’s Technological Edge in the Next Phase of Digital Payments
Klarna’s participation in AP2 comes at a time when the company continues to redefine digital banking and e-commerce experiences for over 111 million active users worldwide. The company processes more than 2.9 million transactions daily, underpinned by real-time underwriting and AI-powered credit decisioning systems that make payments more accessible, flexible, and transparent for consumers.
Through its proprietary platform, Klarna offers a variety of payment options — from debit and interest-free installments to long-term financing plans — empowering customers to manage their budgets responsibly. Its focus on clarity, transparency, and trust has made Klarna one of the most recognized names in fintech.
Now, by joining forces with Google in shaping AP2, Klarna is taking the next step in its transformation from a payment facilitator to a core infrastructure provider — one that will help define how agents, merchants, and consumers interact within a new, AI-driven economy.
In the world of agentic commerce, Klarna’s infrastructure will allow consumers to shop with confidence — whether through a chatbot, digital assistant, or delegated AI service. By embedding Klarna’s secure payment technology into agent-led ecosystems, users can expect consistent and reliable payment experiences no matter how or where they engage in commerce.
Google’s Vision for a Unified Payments Ecosystem
For Google, the Agent Payments Protocol is part of a broader initiative to create a universal standard for AI-powered transactions, one that can work seamlessly across industries and geographies. The company’s goal is to eliminate fragmentation in the payments landscape and make it easier for consumers to trust agent-led processes.
“For years, we’ve been working with Klarna to help deliver secure, seamless, and innovative payment experiences,” said Stavan Parikh, VP/GM of Payments at Google. “Their contributions to shape the Agent Payments Protocol exemplify the critical cross-industry collaboration needed to build open, secure, and scalable frameworks to enable the future of commerce.”
This collaboration reflects a broader trend in financial technology: the convergence of open standards, cross-platform integrations, and AI. By embracing interoperability and shared standards, major players like Google and Klarna are laying the groundwork for a digital ecosystem that minimizes friction and maximizes consumer benefit.
Shaping the Future of Commerce Through Collaboration
The Klarna–Google partnership around AP2 underscores a growing industry recognition that the future of payments will not be built in isolation. Instead, it will emerge from a network of connected technologies — each playing a role in ensuring that commerce remains accessible, efficient, and secure in a world where digital agents and AI assistants become central to consumer behavior.
For Klarna, supporting the AP2 framework means helping to shape the foundational architecture for autonomous financial interactions. Imagine a future where digital assistants can compare mortgage rates, manage subscriptions, or purchase household supplies — all while using secure, regulated payment standards. Klarna’s integration with AP2 ensures that such interactions happen within a transparent and trusted environment.
Beyond the technical aspects, this collaboration also represents a philosophical commitment to responsible innovation. Both Klarna and Google have emphasized the importance of building AI-driven systems that enhance user autonomy rather than erode it — giving consumers control over how their agents act on their behalf.
Klarna’s Broader Mission: Smarter, More Human Finance
Klarna’s participation in AP2 reflects its broader transformation into a technology-driven financial platform focused on empowering consumers through data, AI, and automation. Its mission — to make finance simpler, fairer, and more accessible — aligns with the broader goals of agentic commerce: giving users the tools to manage their money intelligently and confidently.
Over the years, Klarna has expanded its footprint beyond payments, launching products and services that include budgeting tools, personal finance insights, and even banking capabilities. The company’s deep investment in AI has led to more personalized shopping experiences, faster credit assessments, and greater fraud prevention.
With this latest step, Klarna is signaling that its ambitions extend far beyond facilitating transactions. It aims to become an essential part of the digital financial fabric — a trusted intermediary between consumers, merchants, and intelligent agents.
Industry Impact: The Rise of Open Payment Standards
The introduction of the Agent Payments Protocol could mark a turning point in how industries view interoperability and security. Historically, the payments landscape has been characterized by fragmentation — with each provider maintaining proprietary systems. AP2’s open, standardized approach could change that by allowing agents and systems from different platforms to communicate securely and efficiently.
For fintech firms, merchants, and developers, this could unlock significant innovation. Businesses will be able to integrate payments more seamlessly across platforms, while consumers enjoy greater flexibility and consistency in their purchasing experiences. Klarna’s expertise in cross-border payments, consumer trust, and user-centric design makes it a natural fit to help bring this vision to life.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape every aspect of finance, the importance of trust, compliance, and transparency cannot be overstated. Klarna’s collaboration with Google positions both companies as leaders in this transition, helping to ensure that AI-powered commerce evolves responsibly.
Through AP2, Klarna is contributing to a framework where consumers know exactly how their payments are processed, where their data is used, and how their agents are authorized to act. This transparency will be critical in establishing long-term confidence in the next generation of digital payments.
About Klarna
Klarna is a global digital bank and flexible payments provider that enables smarter spending and saving for over 111 million active users worldwide. Handling more than 2.9 million daily transactions, Klarna combines AI-driven underwriting, real-time data analytics, and user-friendly interfaces to make payments more seamless and secure.
Over 790,000 retailers, including Uber, H&M, Saks, Sephora, Macy’s, Ikea, Nike, Airbnb, and Expedia Group, partner with Klarna to drive customer loyalty, improve conversion, and expand access to flexible payments. The company continues to innovate at the intersection of finance and technology — now expanding into the next frontier of agent-led commerce through its collaboration with Google.
For more information, visit Klarna.com.
