PayPal rolls out one-time payment links with crypto support on the way
It could make sending or requesting money as effortless as dropping a text.
Money comes up in nearly every conversation we have, but sending it has never felt quite as easy as talking about it. PayPal thinks it’s finally cracked that problem.
Its new feature, PayPal Links, is meant to make paying someone as simple as dropping a text. Let's imagine you need to send or request $25 for dinner. PayPal says all you'd need to do is generate a one-time link in the PayPal app, paste it into a message, and you’re done. The recipient then clicks, picks how to pay (card, bank, or PayPal balance), and the transfer is finished in seconds. No searching for usernames, no worrying about typos in email addresses, and no bouncing between apps..
PayPal also adds that each link is private, tied to a single transaction, and expires after ten days if it isn’t used. If the person you send it to doesn’t have PayPal, the link nudges them to sign up, which also helps PayPal expand its user base. The feature is rolling out first in the U.S., with the U.K., Italy, and other countries coming later this month.
But this isn’t just about splitting bills. PayPal is already testing how Links could move not just dollars, but also Bitcoin, Ethereum, and its own PYUSD stablecoin. Because Links work across PayPal, Venmo, and even compatible digital wallets globally, the company is positioning itself as a bridge between everyday payments and the crypto economy.
The real play here isn’t just about making it easier to split a bill, but what comes next. PayPal is already testing how Links could move not just dollars, but also Bitcoin, Ethereum, and its own PYUSD stablecoin. Because Links work across PayPal, Venmo, and even compatible digital wallets globally, the company is positioning itself as a bridge between everyday payments and the crypto economy.
If it sounds familiar, you’re not wrong, as PayPal already had PayPal.me, a static profile link for getting paid. The difference between the two is that PayPal Links are one-off: you set the amount ahead of time, making them faster, cleaner, and less open-ended.
And the details show PayPal knows what users care about most: trust. Funds land instantly in PayPal balance accounts, friends-and-family transfers avoid tax headaches like 1099-K forms, and there are no hidden fees. All of which makes PayPal Links a clear competitor to Zelle, CashApp, and even Venmo itself.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
