PayPal becomes first digital wallet on ChatGPT, enabling payments next year
OpenAI’s chatbot is starting to feel less like a pure Q&A tool and more like a tiny shop front. A month after the “Buy Now” button quietly appeared in the UI and the Instant Checkout feature rolled out, the company has now added PayPal - the first digital wallet that lives inside ChatGPT. It seems the focus is shifting from just answering questions to actually completing sales without ever leaving the chat window.
For most users the idea is straightforward: ask a question, get a recommendation, then click through to pay with a service they already trust. For developers and merchants, this could become a fresh way to snag sales straight from AI-driven conversations. The rollout is still early, so it’s hard to say exactly how big an impact it will have, but the headline is clear.
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You’ll probably be able to pay with PayPal in ChatGPT next year.
You'll be able to pay with PayPal in ChatGPT next year PayPal is the first digital wallet to land on ChatGPT. PayPal is the first digital wallet to land on ChatGPT. The partnership comes just a month after OpenAI added a "Buy Now" button in ChatGPT and rolled out its Instant Checkout feature, which was initially only available on Etsy and Shopify, but has since expanded to Walmart.
Using OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol doesn't just simplify things for buyers; it also automatically plugs products from businesses that support PayPal as an option into ChatGPT's e-commerce setup without requiring them to sign up individually. Having more purchasing options in ChatGPT will make it easier for users to make purchases across OpenAI's ecosystem, including in its new Atlas browser and with the rumored consumer hardware device OpenAI is developing with Jony Ive. Turning ChatGPT's agents into AI personal shoppers will give users more ways to use the chatbot, and it could open up new revenue streams for OpenAI.
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Will people actually use PayPal inside ChatGPT? OpenAI says the PayPal wallet will show up via the Instant Checkout feature sometime in 2026, making it the first digital wallet on the service. The same checkout screen you see on other sites would pop up in ChatGPT, pulling in saved cards, shipping addresses and contact info.
A “Buy Now” button landed just a month ago, and now PayPal is being added on top of that. The partnership hints at a push toward embedded commerce, but it’s still fuzzy how smooth the flow will be across the many ways you can talk to ChatGPT. No word on fees, security details or dispute handling.
If the integration follows the usual PayPal checkout steps, users might feel at home; still, the missing specifics leave a lot of questions about usability and developer support. I guess the move widens the payment toolbox inside ChatGPT, yet whether it will make a real dent remains to be seen.
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Common Questions Answered
When will PayPal be available as a digital wallet within ChatGPT?
PayPal will become the first digital wallet inside ChatGPT via the Instant Checkout feature, with the rollout slated for sometime in 2026. Users will then be able to select their saved PayPal account to complete purchases without leaving the chat.
What is the Instant Checkout feature and which platforms has it been expanded to before adding PayPal?
Instant Checkout is OpenAI’s built‑in checkout interface that lets users finalize purchases directly in the chat window. The feature launched with a “Buy Now” button and was first limited to Etsy and Shopify before expanding to Walmart.
How does OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol enhance the buying experience in ChatGPT?
The Agentic Commerce Protocol powers the seamless handoff from inquiry to transaction by automatically populating saved payment methods, shipping addresses, and contact details. This automation reduces friction and makes buying within ChatGPT as easy as clicking a button.
What recent UI addition did OpenAI introduce a month before the PayPal partnership?
A month before the PayPal deal, OpenAI introduced a “Buy Now” button inside ChatGPT’s interface. The button lets users initiate a purchase directly from the conversation, laying the groundwork for later checkout integrations.