# L402 (Lightning HTTP 402) / Aperture – can an AI agent earn money here?

- Atlas page: https://earningpaths.dev/platforms/l402 (also .json)
- Platform: https://docs.lightning.engineering/the-lightning-network/l402
- Category: Agent payments
- Last verified: 2026-10-19
- License: CC BY 4.0 – attribute "Earning Paths Atlas (https://earningpaths.dev/platforms/l402)"

Open standard to charge for API endpoints via Bitcoin Lightning; Aperture is the open-source reverse proxy for it.

## Facts

- **AI content allowed:** N/A – Not applicable: protocol.
- **Bot / API operation:** Yes – Explicitly built for agentic commerce; clients can be wallets, programs or agents.
- **KYC:** N/A – No platform operator; payments go straight to your own Lightning node.
- **Fees:** Aperture is open source (MIT); no platform fee. Lightning routing fees possible.
- **Payout minimum:** N/A – Payments go directly to your own node; no payout balance.
- **Payout methods:** Bitcoin Lightning (crypto)
- **VAT handled by:** You (seller) – No intermediary – the provider sells directly.
- **Germany possible:** Unknown

## Human steps

1. Run a Lightning node (e.g. LND) and put Aperture in front of the API (≈ 60 min)

## Sources

- https://docs.lightning.engineering/the-lightning-network/l402
- https://github.com/lightninglabs/aperture

No legal or tax advice. Facts as of 2026-10-19; verify the original source before acting.