Rye
Rye provides Universal Checkout and Product Data APIs that enable AI agents and developers to complete purchases from any merchant. The platform solves merchant fraud-detection blocks on automated transactions, serving developers, AI agent builders, brands, and rewards programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Rye does
Rye Worldwide, Inc. is a San Francisco-based commerce infrastructure company that provides APIs enabling AI agents and applications to complete purchases from any merchant. Founded in 2022 by Justin Kan (co-founder of Twitch) and Arjun Bhargava, Rye initially launched as a Web3 commerce platform before pivoting in 2023 to focus on agentic commerce infrastructure. The company's core product, the Universal Checkout API, solves the "checkout wall" problem — where merchant fraud detection systems block automated transactions — by using AI browser automation with fraud-mitigation techniques (residential IPs, deterministic workflow caching) to achieve 90%+ order reliability and sub-5-second checkout on major retailers.
The platform is built on a suite of complementary APIs and integrations: the Product Data API provides real-time product information from any URL, Affiliate Commissions routes orders through networks like Rakuten, CJ, Impact, Skimlinks, and Sovrn, and the x402 protocol enables HTTP-native USDC crypto payments across Base, Solana, and Tempo networks. Rye distributes through multiple channels including Stripe's Agentic Commerce Suite, ChatGPT via MCP, OpenClaw protocol for AI agents (GPT, Claude, Llama), the Shopify App Store, and a self-serve developer portal. The product surface has expanded recently with Rye for Rewards (a React component library for loyalty programs launched May 2026) and Returns API (programmatic returns for Shopify merchants launched June 2026).
Rye generates revenue primarily through affiliate commissions (14-17.5% on Shopify-connected merchants), merchant commission markups, and per-request x402 transaction fees ($0.02-$0.03 USDC). Pricing is quote-based for enterprise customers with free developer API access. The company serves a diverse customer base spanning enterprise fintech (Lithic), creator platforms (Throne with 300k+ creators), social commerce (Wally, a top 20 TikTok Shop store), corporate gifting (BILT, Thnks, Caroo), and rewards/loyalty programs. As of the latest data, Rye has 11-50 employees and has raised $14 million in seed funding from a16z Crypto and Solana Ventures in October 2022.
Rye firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rye
- Legal name
- Rye Worldwide, Inc.
- Website
- https://rye.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Rye provides Universal Checkout and Product Data APIs that enable AI agents and developers to complete purchases from any merchant. The platform solves merchant fraud-detection blocks on automated transactions, serving developers, AI agent builders, brands, and rewards programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rye industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agentic Commerce Infrastructure
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout) (FSAMACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Embedded Payments (Pay-ins, Pay-outs, Wallets) (FSAGALAB), API Analytics, Monetization & Developer Experience Tooling (HDAEAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Rye is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Rye business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Affiliate Commissions: Rye routes eligible orders through affiliate networks (Skimlinks, Sovrn) so developers earn commissions on sales. Developer commissions of 14-17.5% on Shopify-connected merchants with Instant Payout at checkout. Standard 30-60 day payout cycles for affiliate network orders.
- Merchant Commission Markup: Merchants set commission rates that Rye takes a cut from. Developers can also set markups on products. Shopify Sync API allows merchants to configure commission rates directly.
- x402 Transaction Fees: USDC-based payment processing with per-request fees. $0.02 for checkout-intent creation, purchase total + $0.03 for order confirmation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | API Access - Free tier available |
| Subscription | Monthly | Shopify App - Free to install |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | x402 Payment - Per request |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Rye product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rye provides a Universal Checkout API that enables AI agents and developers to complete purchases from any merchant URL by using AI browser automation with fraud-mitigation techniques to bypass merchant fraud detection systems. The platform also offers a Product Data API for real-time product information, Affiliate Commissions for automatic commission capture, and integrations with ChatGPT, OpenClaw agents, and crypto payment rails. Developers integrate through two API calls (product data lookup and checkout intent), with SDKs available in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Java.
Product overview
Rye is a commerce infrastructure platform providing APIs for agentic commerce. The core product is the Universal Checkout API, which enables AI agents to complete purchases from any merchant by solving the 'checkout wall' problem that blocks automated transactions. This core API is complemented by the Product Data API for real-time product information, and the Affiliate Commissions module for earning on sales. Additional modules include Rye for Rewards (React component library for loyalty programs), Rye in ChatGPT (shopping within AI conversations), Rye for OpenClaw (autonomous purchasing for AI agents), and Rye for AgentCash & x402 (crypto payments). The platform also offers Sync API for Shopify merchants seeking deeper integration with real-time inventory sync and direct commission capture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Universal Checkout API Core API that enables AI agents and developers to complete purchases from any merchant URL. Uses AI browser automation with fraud-mitigation techniques to bypass merchant fraud detection systems, returning real pricing, tax, shipping, and confirmed checkout. Achieves 90%+ order reliability with sub-35s offer resolution and under 5-second checkout on major retailers.
- Product Data API API providing real-time product data from any URL on the internet. Returns normalized JSON with price_subunits, availability enum (IN_STOCK, LOW_STOCK, OUT_OF_STOCK), is_purchasable boolean, variant IDs, and product metadata. Uses tiered retrieval with direct merchant API hits and browser-based headless rendering for JavaScript-heavy storefronts, achieving under 800ms response times and 91% API reliability compared to 55.5% for standard scrapers.
- Affiliate Commissions Infrastructure that routes eligible orders through affiliate networks (Skimlinks, Sovrn, Rakuten, CJ, Impact) enabling developers and merchants to earn commissions automatically on every order. Includes commission lifecycle management (pending, confirmed, finalized, payout) with monthly payouts via ACH or wire transfer. Developer commissions of 14-17.5% on Shopify-connected merchants with Instant Payout at checkout.
- Rye for Rewards Source-available React component library for rewards programs enabling native catalog redemption. Ships seven components for embedding full redemption flow inside rewards apps, including points-based payment and order tracking. Built on Universal Checkout API with partner acting as merchant of record. Supports 1M+ products and 260+ commissioned merchants with 14-17.5% developer commission and Instant Payout.
- Rye in ChatGPT Integration enabling shopping directly within ChatGPT conversations via Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Features include product search, real-time price comparison, universal checkout in-chat, wishlists, price-drop buy orders, automatic discount codes, and order tracking. Currently in beta with limited release for US shipping addresses.
- Rye for OpenClaw Buy-anything skill for OpenClaw agents (GPT, Claude, Llama) enabling autonomous Amazon and Shopify checkout without login. Agent discovers products via SERP or direct URL, executes headless checkout using tokenized payments with Merchant of Record passthrough, and tracks order status via automated polling. No login required, supports spending limits, and provides real-time webhook notifications.
- Rye for AgentCash & x402 Integration with AgentCash crypto wallet and x402 protocol for HTTP-native payments. AI agents can pay in USDC and Rye fulfills orders over HTTP. Supports Base, Solana, and Tempo networks with instant USDC settlement. Pricing: $0.02 USDC per checkout-intent creation, $0.03 USDC per confirmation. No API key required; pay-per-request model.
- Returns API Programmatic returns API for Shopify merchants. One API call creates a return and enables status polling. Handles filing with the merchant, prepaid return label generation, and tracks refund through settlement. First release covers Shopify merchants and whole-order returns. Generated SDKs available in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Java.
- Sync API Deeper integration for existing Shopify merchants that fetches live inventory data and enables direct commissions with white-label control. Includes webhook sync, accelerated commission capture, and real-time inventory and price synchronization.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90%+ order reliability on browser-automated flows
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Rye
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Rye technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
Rye partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- StripecoreNative payment integration with Stripe tokenization. Developers use Stripe publishable keys with single or two-step authorization flows. Approved agent in Stripe's Agentic Commerce Suite.
- SkimlinkscoreAffiliate network integration for automatic commission routing and tracking across global affiliate networks.
- SovrncoreAffiliate network integration for commission capture and payout across publisher monetized content.
- AgentCashcorex402-native wallet provider handling USDC payments for AI agent checkout. Rye handles checkout fulfillment while AgentCash manages wallet operations.
- OpenClaw ProtocolcoreOpenClaw agents (GPT-5.4, Claude 4.6, Llama 4) integrate Rye's buy-anything skill for autonomous checkout.
- Credit Card Rewards ProgramsminorRewards programs building native catalog redemption using Rye for Rewards components, acting as merchant of record.
- Points-based Loyalty AppsminorAirline, hotel, retail, and grocery loyalty programs integrating Rye for native redemption.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Rye competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Adyen: Adyen is a global payment platform serving enterprise merchants with tokenized checkout flows. As agentic commerce matures, Adyen's existing enterprise relationships and tokenization infrastructure position it as a likely competitor for AI-driven checkout at scale.
- Visa Intelligent Commerce: Visa's Intelligent Commerce initiative aggregates partners (including Rye, Skyfire, PayOS, Nekuda) to enable agentic payments at the network level. Represents both a major distribution channel and a competitive threat if Visa builds direct merchant relationships.
- Shopify (Shop Pay / Agentic Commerce): Shopify powers 1M+ merchants and has been expanding Shop Pay and agentic commerce capabilities. As Rye's primary integration partner and host of Sync API, Shopify is both an enabler and a competitive threat if it builds native agentic checkout.
Others
- Lithic: Lithic is a card-issuing API platform and a Rye enterprise customer, also building agentic checkout capabilities for its own cardholders. Represents both validation of the agentic commerce thesis and a potential partner-turned-competitor scenario.
- Forter: Forter provides enterprise fraud protection integrated into Rye's checkout flow. Adjacent infrastructure in the same agentic commerce stack with potential to expand into broader checkout enablement.
Emerging players
- Nekuda: Nekuda is a payment provider specifically targeting agentic commerce transactions, also part of Visa's Intelligent Commerce initiative. Competes with Rye for AI-driven checkout use cases across enterprise merchants.
- Skyfire: Skyfire is a crypto-native payment infrastructure company focused on AI agent commerce and is a fellow partner within Visa's Intelligent Commerce ecosystem. Competes with Rye on the x402/crypto agent payment rail.
- PayOS: PayOS is a payment infrastructure company in the agentic commerce space, partnering within the Visa Intelligent Commerce ecosystem. Targets the same AI agent checkout problem as Rye.
Direct peers
- AgentCash: AgentCash provides x402-native wallet infrastructure for AI agent payments, working closely with Rye on USDC settlement. Operates as a complementary partner today but represents adjacent infrastructure that could expand into full checkout competition.
- Stripe (Agentic Commerce Suite): Stripe launched its Agentic Commerce Suite in 2025-2026, directly competing with Rye's Universal Checkout API for AI agent payment flows. Stripe's existing merchant base and payment infrastructure make it the most strategically threatening direct competitor in agentic checkout.
Market position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rye social profiles
Digital presenceRye compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Rye financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rye leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Rye funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rye M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rye
What does Rye do?
Rye provides a Universal Checkout API that enables AI agents and developers to complete purchases from any merchant URL by using AI browser automation with fraud-mitigation techniques to bypass merchant fraud detection systems. The platform also offers a Product Data API for real-time product information, Affiliate Commissions for automatic commission capture, and integrations with ChatGPT, OpenClaw agents, and crypto payment rails. Developers integrate through two API calls (product data lookup and checkout intent), with SDKs available in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Java.
Is Rye a public or private company?
Rye is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Rye founded?
Rye was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Rye based?
Rye is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rye make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Affiliate Commissions are the primary driver. The others are merchant Commission Markup and x402 Transaction Fees.
Who are Rye's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Adyen, Visa Intelligent Commerce and Shopify (Shop Pay / Agentic Commerce). Others are Lithic and Forter. Emerging players are Nekuda, Skyfire and PayOS. Direct peers are AgentCash and Stripe (Agentic Commerce Suite).
Does Rye have an API?
Yes. Rye offers a Universal Checkout API that enables developers to build agentic commerce experiences. The API supports both GraphQL (v1) and REST (v2) protocols. It provides product data retrieval, checkout intent creation, payment processing via Stripe or Prava tokenization, and order management. Developers access the API using Bearer token authentication. The platform includes a demo environment at demo.rye.com, webhook support for order lifecycle events (order.confirmed, commission.paid), and rate limits of 300 products per request with the ability to request increases. Generated SDKs are available in TypeScript, Python, Go, and Java. An MCP server is available at mcp.rye.com/mcp with configuration files for Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf. Developer documentation is at rye.com/docs/api-v2/introduction.
What industry is Rye in?
Rye's product category is Agentic Commerce Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMACAA, Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout), with a secondary code of FSAGALAB, Embedded Payments (Pay-ins, Pay-outs, Wallets). Its SIC code is 7371.