PayPal has officially launched its new “Pay with Crypto” service, positioning itself at the forefront of mainstream cryptocurrency adoption.
The payment processing giant announced that US merchants will soon be able to accept payments in over 100 cryptocurrencies, fundamentally reshaping how businesses handle international transactions.
The new service connects an impressive ecosystem of digital wallets including Coinbase, MetaMask, OKX, Binance, Kraken, Phantom, and Exodus to PayPal’s merchant network. Supporting major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, XRP, BNB, Solana, and USDC, alongside various memecoins, the platform covers 90% of the $3+ trillion cryptocurrency market cap.
Game-Changing Crypto Integration
“Businesses of all sizes face incredible pressure when growing globally, from increased costs for accepting international payments to complex integrations,” explained Alex Chriss, PayPal’s President and CEO. “Today, we’re removing these barriers and helping every business of every size achieve their goals.”
The payment process is seamlessly integrated. When customers pay with cryptocurrency, PayPal automatically converts the digital assets through centralized exchanges like Coinbase or decentralized platforms such as Uniswap. The funds are then transformed into PayPal’s proprietary stablecoin PYUSD before final settlement in U.S. dollars to merchants.
PayPal’s aggressive pricing strategy offers merchants a compelling value proposition with transaction fees starting at just 0.99% for the first year, rising to 1.5% thereafter. This represents savings of up to 90% compared to traditional international credit card processing fees, addressing one of the most significant pain points for global commerce.
Global Digital Commerce
The launch represents more than just another payment option—it’s PayPal’s bold vision for borderless commerce. By tapping into a global base of over 650 million cryptocurrency users, merchants gain access to previously untapped revenue streams and customer segments worldwide.
The service offers merchants several advantages beyond cost savings. Businesses receive near-instant settlement, eliminating the typical delays associated with international banking transfers. Additionally, merchants can earn 4% returns on PYUSD holdings stored with PayPal, creating an additional revenue stream from their payment processing activities.
This crypto integration builds upon PayPal’s recent strategic initiatives, including the announcement of PayPal World, a global partnership uniting five major digital wallets on a single platform. The company has also forged agreements with Fiserv to expand stablecoin usage globally, demonstrating its commitment to digital currency adoption.
“Last week, we launched PayPal World, our global partnership bringing together five of the world’s largest digital wallets on a single platform, fundamentally reimagining how money moves around the world,” Chriss noted. “By enabling seamless cross-border crypto payments, we’re breaking long-standing barriers in global commerce.”
The rollout to U.S. merchants begins in the coming weeks, with PayPal planning international expansion, though no specific timeline has been announced. This move positions PayPal as a crucial bridge between traditional finance and the emerging digital economy, potentially accelerating cryptocurrency adoption across mainstream commerce.
