# Proof launches x401 identity and authorization protocol for AI agents

> The open HTTP protocol is designed to verify whom an agent represents and the transaction terms a user has signed.

- Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol
- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Technology
- Country: United States
- Published: 2026-10-16T10:36:24+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-16T10:36:24+00:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-15
- Other editions: [Türkçe](https://newsverum.com/tr/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md), [العربية](https://newsverum.com/ar/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md), [Français](https://newsverum.com/fr/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md), [Español](https://newsverum.com/es/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md), [Deutsch](https://newsverum.com/de/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md), [Português](https://newsverum.com/pt/news/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol.md)

Boston-based Proof said on 15 October that it had launched the open x401 protocol and an agent identity wallet. The protocol uses the HTTP 401 unauthorized response to let a website request verified evidence of whom an agent represents and a signature covering the transaction terms approved by the user.

The company says the identity wallet, x401 request-and-verification protocol and a production server for MCP-compatible assistants are available. A user reviews and approves an action on their own device, after which a recipient can check the signature and terms. These are company descriptions of the product and its compatibility; no independent adoption or outcomes data were announced.

## Data

### Product and feature availability

Services and features described in the 15 October announcement

Methodology: Capabilities are taken from the company’s 15 October announcement; this is not an independent security audit or adoption measurement.

| date | label | description | status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-15 | Announcement summary | x401 requests and verifies signed transaction authorization; the company announced a production MCP server. | occurred |

Sources: <https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/15/3381718/0/en/proof-launches-x401-giving-ai-agents-a-way-to-prove-who-they-represent-and-what-they-re-authorized-to-do.html> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol/data/source-record?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/proof-launches-x401-agent-identity-and-authorization-protocol/data/source-record?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [Proof](<https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/15/3381718/0/en/proof-launches-x401-giving-ai-agents-a-way-to-prove-who-they-represent-and-what-they-re-authorized-to-do.html>) (Source checked: 2026-10-16; Published: 2026-10-15)

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