PayPal partners with OpenAI to integrate digital wallet into ChatGPT

PayPal has entered a partnership with OpenAI to bring its digital wallet directly into ChatGPT. The deal will allow users to shop and pay inside the chatbot beginning in 2026.

This integration marks a step in what OpenAI calls “Agentic Commerce,” where users can go from discovering products in chat to completing purchases instantly. The move also makes PayPal an early payment partner in OpenAI’s growing e-commerce efforts, which have previously included collaborations with Shopify on Instant Checkout.

“Hundreds of millions of people turn to ChatGPT each week for help with everyday tasks, including finding products they love, and over 400 million use PayPal to shop,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal. He added that the partnership aims to help people “go from chat to checkout in just a few taps.”

How PayPal’s integration will work inside ChatGPT

Under this partnership, PayPal will integrate its payment system into ChatGPT through the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) and OpenAI’s Instant Checkout feature. This will allow ChatGPT users to complete purchases directly in conversation using PayPal’s wallet.

Users will be able to choose from multiple funding options, including bank accounts, PayPal balance, or linked cards. The company said its buyer and seller protections, dispute resolution, and post-purchase tracking will also extend to ChatGPT transactions.

For merchants, PayPal will handle payment processing through its delegated payments API, managing card transactions and payment validation. This means small businesses and global brands already using PayPal will be able to sell products within ChatGPT without needing new integrations.

Expanding PayPal’s merchant network into ChatGPT

Through ACP, PayPal plans to connect its global merchant network with OpenAI’s commerce infrastructure. According to the company, by 2026, product catalogs from small businesses and major retailers across categories such as fashion, beauty, electronics, and home improvement will be accessible directly in ChatGPT.

The company said it will manage merchant routing, payment orchestration, and validation behind the scenes, creating a shopping experience that happens entirely within chat. This setup could make millions of products discoverable and purchasable inside ChatGPT’s interface.

Broader AI partnerships and internal adoption

PayPal’s collaboration with OpenAI extends beyond payments. The company is also expanding internal access to ChatGPT Enterprise for its 24,000 employees. Engineers will use OpenAI’s Codex to assist in coding, while other teams will use OpenAI’s APIs to enhance product development and customer support.

This follows earlier AI partnerships, including PayPal’s deal with Perplexity in May to enable in-app checkout.

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