How I Built an Autonomous AI Agent That Earns USDC While I Sleep

Description and use

An autonomous agent automatically handles USDC payments on Base L2, runs inference, and forwards funds, reducing manual ops.

Problem

Running a paid AI service on Base L2 requires constant ops: monitoring usage, topping up balances, handling failed transactions, and keeping the service online.

Outcome

The autonomous agent automatically processes payments, runs inference, and forwards USDC, enabling a self‑sustaining AI service with minimal manual intervention.

Workflow

• Deploy a minimal ERC‑20 escrow contract on Base to hold USDC and emit PaymentReceived events.
• Deploy a stateless FastAPI agent that listens for PaymentReceived via WebSocket or polling.
• Validate the payer’s signature to prevent replay attacks.
• Execute the core workload (model inference, data transform, etc.).
• Call escrow.release to pull earned USDC into the agent’s wallet.
• Forward USDC to a controlled wallet (EOA, multisig, or contract).

Evidence

Receives payment‑triggered requests via a smart‑contract escrow.

Source

Agent Service – a stateless FastAPI process that listens for PaymentReceived events.

Source