PayPal Launches Payment Links With Crypto
PayPal introduced “PayPal Links” on Monday as its newest payment method, allowing users to send and receive money through a personalized, one-time link that can be shared across text, email, or chat. The service is rolling out first in the U.S., with plans to expand to the UK, Italy, and other markets later this month.
Alongside this rollout, PayPal confirmed that it is integrating cryptocurrency into its peer-to-peer (P2P) payment system, making it easier for users to send digital assets within PayPal, Venmo, and other supported wallets. The company said this marks a significant step toward merging traditional finance with crypto-native systems.
Driving New Customers and Simplifying Payments
PayPal explained that the goal of the new platform is to drive new customer acquisition by making payments as seamless as possible.
Payment links can be generated in the PayPal app, complete with custom notes, emojis, and expiration settings. Unclaimed links expire after 10 days, but senders can remind or cancel payments before they’re claimed.
Crucially, friends-and-family transfers will remain exempt from 1099-K reporting, ensuring that gifts, reimbursements, and expense splitting stay private.
Launching today: PayPal links 🚀
— PayPal (@PayPal) September 15, 2025
Send and receive money as easily as sending a message--just share a one-time link by text, DM, or email.
Live now in the US, and more markets soon.
Coming next: crypto support for peer-to-peer via the PayPal app—including Bitcoin, Ethereum,… pic.twitter.com/H3ZDGUBGiS
Launching today: PayPal links 🚀
— PayPal (@PayPal) September 15, 2025
Send and receive money as easily as sending a message--just share a one-time link by text, DM, or email.
Live now in the US, and more markets soon.
Coming next: crypto support for peer-to-peer via the PayPal app—including Bitcoin, Ethereum,… pic.twitter.com/H3ZDGUBGiS
Crypto Becomes Core to PayPal’s Strategy
The company’s roadmap extends beyond P2P. PayPal confirmed that its “Pay with Crypto” feature, launched on July 28, connects merchants to the $3+ trillion crypto market. The service enables instant conversions between crypto, stablecoins, and fiat, with support for 100+ cryptocurrencies and wallets, including Coinbase and MetaMask.
Transaction fees are set at 0.99%, a rate that PayPal says reduces cross-border payment costs by up to 90% compared to traditional credit card processing. The company framed this as part of its mission to transform commerce by connecting digital assets with fiat payments.
Expanding Venmo and Merchant Reach
PayPal highlighted that its P2P volume rose 10% year-over-year in Q2, while Venmo achieved its highest growth in three years. These results reinforce the company’s belief that P2P payments are poised for even greater momentum, especially as PayPal and Venmo expand their interoperability with global wallets.
Looking ahead, PayPal revealed that starting in 2026, Venmo users will be able to shop online and in-store at millions of merchants worldwide. This expansion will extend PayPal’s two-sided network, offering merchants new revenue opportunities while giving consumers greater flexibility in payment methods.
A Play for Global Adoption
PayPal’s new system highlights the company’s push to lead in both fintech and crypto adoption. By combining payment links with crypto transfers and rolling out Pay with Crypto for merchants, PayPal is positioning itself as a bridge between fiat and digital economies.
The strategy taps into a fast-growing market, one where users increasingly expect borderless, low-cost, and flexible payment options. For PayPal, it’s a bid to stay ahead in the global payments race, while embedding itself deeper into the digital asset ecosystem.
