TLDR
- PayPal has partnered with OpenAI to integrate its payment system into ChatGPT, making it the first digital wallet available on the AI platform.
- The integration allows PayPal’s hundreds of millions of users to purchase items directly through ChatGPT starting in 2026.
- PayPal merchants can list and sell their products on ChatGPT without needing separate OpenAI accounts.
- The service includes fraud protection, package tracking, and dispute resolution for all transactions made through the platform.
- PayPal stock jumped over 10% in premarket trading following the announcement on Tuesday morning.
PayPal has secured a partnership with OpenAI to become the first payment wallet integrated into ChatGPT. The deal was completed over the weekend and announced Tuesday morning before PayPal’s quarterly earnings report.
The integration will allow ChatGPT’s more than 700 million weekly users to make purchases directly through the AI platform. PayPal CEO Alex Chriss revealed the partnership details in an exclusive interview with CNBC.
Starting in 2026, PayPal users will see a “Buy with PayPal button” when shopping through ChatGPT. The system lets customers complete transactions using linked bank accounts, credit cards, or existing PayPal balances. All purchases include standard PayPal buyer protections and dispute resolution services.
Merchant Integration and Payment Processing
The partnership extends to PayPal’s merchant network as well. Sellers using PayPal can list their inventory on ChatGPT without creating additional OpenAI accounts. PayPal will handle all payment processing, merchant routing, and transaction validation on the backend.
Chriss emphasized the security benefits of the arrangement. Both buyers and sellers using the platform are verified by PayPal, which reduces fraud risks. The company described this as creating a trusted marketplace within ChatGPT.
PayPal will serve as the payment infrastructure for transactions between verified merchants and consumers. This includes providing package tracking and customer support services for purchases made through the AI platform.
OpenAI’s E-Commerce Strategy
This deal represents another step in OpenAI’s push into e-commerce. Last month, the company added shopping features for Shopify and Etsy merchants. Two weeks ago, OpenAI announced a similar partnership with Walmart.
OpenAI is building ChatGPT into a shopping assistant that helps users find and purchase products. The AI can recommend items based on user queries and preferences. PayPal’s integration provides the payment infrastructure for these transactions.
Chriss described the concept as “agentic commerce” and predicted it would become a major part of online shopping. PayPal is also pursuing similar payment partnerships with Google and AI search company Perplexity.
The company wants to position itself as the preferred payment processor for AI-powered shopping platforms. By integrating with ChatGPT early, PayPal gains access to millions of potential customers using AI tools to shop online.
PayPal shares rose more than 10% in premarket trading on Tuesday. The company also announced it will expand its internal use of OpenAI’s enterprise AI products to accelerate product development.
The ChatGPT payment integration will launch sometime in 2026. PayPal has not provided a specific release date for the feature. The partnership makes PayPal the first major payment processor to integrate directly into an AI chatbot platform.



