Protocol / standardPublic reference
Visa TAP
Trusted Agent Protocol
Signed request information helps merchants recognize approved agents and verify their stated commerce intent.
THE QUESTION IT ADDRESSES
How can a merchant distinguish a recognized agent from an unknown bot?
A concise reading of published information. The explanatory grouping below is editorial, not an implementation test.
A simplified mechanism
- An onboarded agent signs request information.
- The merchant retrieves the appropriate verification key.
- The merchant checks signatures and handles the request.
What it does not establish
Recognition is not payment settlement. Agent onboarding and market availability follow Visa’s program requirements.
Where it fits
TAP is part of the trust framework around Visa Intelligent Commerce, rather than a standalone wallet.
Sources & further reading
Sources reviewed on2026-10-26. Summaries are paraphrased; follow the current source for changes.