Digital payments giant PayPal has taken a new step in expanding its support for cryptocurrencies. The company has introduced a new peer-to-peer (P2P) payment feature called "PayPal Links." Users can now request payments through personalized one-time links, using Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and the company's own stablecoin, PYUSD. The feature is rolling out first in the US and is planned to expand to the UK, Italy, and other countries by the end of the year.
PayPal Links is an improved version of the existing PayPal Me system. Previously, the requester had to manually enter the amount. In the new system, users can specify the payment amount before sharing the link and personalize their requests by adding notes or emojis. Upon acceptance, the funds are instantly credited to the account. Unused links automatically revoke within 10 days, and a reminder option is also available.
One of the most important aspects of this innovation for crypto users is that personal transfers made through PayPal and Venmo are exempt from tax reporting in the US. Gifts, expense sharing, or debt-credit transfers between friends will not be subject to a 1099-K form. This could make crypto transfers easier to use in daily life.
Another notable development announced by PayPal is that this move is part of the company's global payment infrastructure, which it calls "PayPal World." PayPal World is an initiative that aims to connect billions of digital wallets. This will allow crypto transfers not only to PayPal and Venmo wallets but also to compatible external wallets. This step is considered to be closer to the peer-to-peer payment vision defined in Bitcoin's white paper.
According to the company's statement, PayPal's P2P and consumer payments grew by 10 percent year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025. Venmo, on the other hand, reached its highest total payment volume in three years. This momentum, combined with PayPal's crypto-enabled solutions, is expected to increase the company's influence in the global digital payments market.
PayPal entered the crypto space in 2020
PayPal entered the market by launching crypto trading in 2020 and launched the PYUSD stablecoin in partnership with Paxos in 2023. PYUSD, currently the 11th largest stablecoin with a market capitalization of approximately $1.3 billion, is also the backbone of the "Pay with Crypto" feature. This feature allows small businesses to accept payments in dozens of cryptocurrencies. PayPal has also begun supporting popular tokens like Chainlink (LINK) and Solana (SOL).
According to experts, PayPal's move is a significant step toward transforming crypto from a mere buy-sell or investment tool into a usable tool for everyday payments. The World Bank has stated that stablecoins offer a cost advantage of up to 90% in cross-border remittances. In contrast, institutions like the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) still consider stablecoins to be "assets" rather than "money." PayPal shares (PYPL) are currently trading at $67.11, giving the company a market capitalization of $65 billion. With new P2P features and crypto support, PayPal is expected to further increase its presence in the digital payments ecosystem.
