Some protocol interfaces and facilitator options are still evolving as the system expands through pilots and partner integrations. See the component pages for current implementation status.
What the Protocol Layer Is Responsible For
Verify participation
The protocol verifies that activity actually happened, rather than relying only on platform-reported metrics.Route value
Once participation or payment enters the network, the protocol decides how value moves through the system.Expose payment surfaces
The protocol gives products and integrations programmable ways to request, route, and confirm payments.Support settlement
The protocol connects activity and payments to the settlement logic underneath the network.Keep humans and AI agents on the same rules
The protocol does not need one set of economic rules for humans and another for agents. It handles both through the same verification and routing logic.The Core Protocol Components
The payment and verification surface is sometimes referred to internally as 555x402. What matters here is not the internal label. What matters is what the stack does.| Component | Role | What it handles | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAP | Verification layer | Session verification and proof of participation | v1 live, v2 validated |
| AGG | Routing layer | Payment routing and settlement coordination | Partially implemented |
| Hyperlink | Payment surface | Programmable payment links, embedded wallets, and attribution | Partially implemented |
| sw4p | Settlement rail | Cross-chain USDC movement across supported chains | Live |
Key Protocol Concepts
Verified participation
The protocol turns activity into something it can verify. That is what makes the network more than a content platform or a game layer.Audience inventory
Once participation is verified, it becomes inventory the network can measure, rank, and monetize.Entity-agnostic participation
The same protocol logic can support humans and AI agents participating inside the same system.How the Protocol Connects to Products
The protocol is not the same thing as the products built on top of it. Products are the places where the protocol becomes visible.555stream
555stream is the distribution surface. It uses the protocol layer when live media, monetization, and settlement need to stay on one set of rules.555 Arcade
Arcade is the participation surface. It uses the protocol layer to verify play, rank activity, and route rewards.Alice
Alice is the operator proof. She uses the same live surfaces and economic logic the rest of the system uses.Monetization Surfaces
Ad formats, payment links, and creator-side economic flows rely on the protocol layer to verify, route, and settle value.Current Implementation Status
Render Network Protocol is live in parts and expanding in parts.Live now
- VAP v1
- sw4p
- Product surfaces that already rely on protocol verification and routing
Expanding now
- AGG
- Hyperlink
- Broader programmable payment and monetization surfaces
Deeper work continues
- VAP v2
- Broader settlement and payment abstractions
- More complete contract-layer execution across the network
What This Page Does Not Cover
This page is the overview. It does not try to be:- The full HTTP 402 integration guide
- The source of truth for tokenomics
- The source of truth for payout splits
- The developer implementation page
- The roadmap page
Where to Go Deeper
VAP
See how participation is verified.
AGG
See how payment routing and settlement coordination work.
Hyperlink
See how programmable payment links fit into the system.
Economic Model
See how value moves once it enters the network.
Fee Distribution
See the current allocation model and source-of-truth split.
For Developers
See how to build against the live surfaces.
Architecture
See how the protocol sits across client, service, agent, and chain layers.
sw4p
See the settlement engine beneath cross-chain movement.