PayPal is making a major move in the world of finance. Starting this summer, all American merchants will be able to accept over 100 cryptocurrencies directly through their website or payment terminal, without ever having to handle a single token.
A Revolution for Global E-commerce
Pay with Crypto. That’s the name of PayPal’s new service, which connects customers’ crypto wallets, MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and others, with online merchants. The buyer pays in crypto, the seller receives dollars immediately. Automatic conversion, almost instant settlement. No complex integration. No account to open. No exposure to volatility.
With over 100 supported cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, USDC, and USDT, the tool alone covers more than 90% of the global crypto market. In other words, almost any crypto user in the world can buy from an American merchant… in just a few clicks.
0.99% Fees: A Blow to Banks
This is the key figure: 0.99% fees for each transaction. That’s up to 90% less than a traditional international card payment, according to PayPal.
CEO Alex Chriss provides a concrete example:
Imagine a customer in Guatemala buying a piece of jewelry from a merchant in Oklahoma City. Thanks to our platform, the merchant receives funds in dollars within seconds, with minimal fees. He can then store them in PYUSD and earn 4% yield.
This level of return, offered on PayPal’s proprietary stablecoin (PYUSD), further enhances the system’s appeal. More than just a payment processor, PayPal is positioning itself as a crypto-native treasury solution.
A Strategic Turning Point for PayPal (and for Stablecoins)
Since launching its own stablecoin in 2023, PayPal has continued to expand its presence in decentralized finance. This new development drives the point home: PYUSD is emerging as the invisible backbone of merchant payments.
But that’s not all. This move is part of a broader context: the surge in cross-border transfers via blockchain. Stablecoins like USDC or PYUSD already enable lightning-fast fund transfers between countries… without the delays and fees of the banking system.
PayPal understands this and aims to seize this opportunity. By bridging the gap between users’ crypto and merchants’ dollars, it becomes a key player in post-banking finance.
Why It’s a Real Game Changer
For American merchants, it’s a blessing: no need to handle cryptos or bear their volatility. They receive dollars while expanding their customer base to millions of crypto users worldwide.
For users, it’s the first time a traditional payment giant has integrated cryptos so seamlessly without technical barriers.
For the crypto ecosystem, it’s validation: Bitcoin, Ether, USDT, or PYUSD are no longer confined to exchange platforms. They are becoming global payment currencies.
And for PayPal? It’s a clear stance: crypto is not the enemy of the system. It becomes the backbone.
