ChatGPT: OpenAI integrates PayPal as a payment method

The payment service provider PayPal has announced that the digital wallet will be integrated into OpenAI's AI chatbot ChatGPT starting in 2026. This allows millions of ChatGPT users to pay with PayPal. In addition, PayPal will support payment processing for merchants using OpenAI's “Instant Checkout.”

PayPal wants to use OpenAI's September-announced “Agentic Commerce Protocol” (ACP) to expand payments and commerce in ChatGPT. ACP is an open-source standard developed by OpenAI and Stripe, which other AI platforms and developers can also use.

Furthermore, the payment service provider stated that it will connect its global merchant network with OpenAI to “create a platform for millions of small businesses and the world's largest brands to sell within ChatGPT.”

The announcement was well received by investors: PayPal's stock rose by a good 15 percent before trading began on Tuesday.

“Frictionless” Shopping in ChatGPT

“Hundreds of millions of people use ChatGPT every week to get help with everyday tasks, including finding products they like, and over 400 million use PayPal for shopping,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, in the announcement of the deal with OpenAI. By collaborating with OpenAI and introducing ACP, PayPal can “enable payment and shopping experiences that allow our mutual customers to go from chat to checkout in just a few clicks”.

PayPal further stated that the partnership goes beyond the seamless payment option via Instant Checkout: Payment options such as bank transfer, credit, and cards will be possible, among others. PayPal's buyer and seller protection, as well as post-purchase services such as shipment tracking and dispute resolution, are also part of the purchase in ChatGPT.

PayPal is not the first partner in OpenAI's e-commerce plans: Etsy and Shopify (with over a million shops) have already been live with Instant Checkout since September 2025, and the US supermarket chain Walmart has also announced a similar integration. However, with PayPal, OpenAI has now brought on board its largest partner to date, making ChatGPT more of a platform that users no longer need to leave.

The newly announced collaboration goes beyond commerce. PayPal plans to introduce ChatGPT Enterprise company-wide for its more than 24,000 employees. In addition, developers will have access to Codex and be able to use OpenAI APIs directly. The goal is to accelerate PayPal's product development, as well as “increase employee performance and raise the bar for customer experience,” according to the company.

(afl)