OpenAI, PayPal partner to enable in-chat payments via ChatGPT
Users will be able to link their PayPal accounts within the ChatGPT app, view balances, and confirm transactions securely inside OpenAI’s ecosystem.
OpenAI has announced a partnership with PayPal that will allow users to make payments directly within ChatGPT, a move that could transform how millions shop, book services, and subscribe to content online.
The new feature, set to launch in 2026, will enable users to pay for products, subscriptions, or digital services through PayPal without leaving the chat window.
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Whether purchasing an item recommended by ChatGPT or paying for an AI-generated service, the entire transaction will take place seamlessly within the same conversation.
According to PayPal CEO Alex Chriss, the collaboration is powered by OpenAI’s new Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), a system designed to connect users, merchants, and payments within conversational AI platforms.
“It’s about turning inspiration into instant action,” Chriss said, suggesting that users will be able to move from inquiry to purchase in just a few taps.
The integration effectively transforms ChatGPT from a text-based assistant into a smart shopping companion.
For example, a user could ask ChatGPT for the best restaurant in Nairobi, select one, and immediately make a reservation or pay a deposit via PayPal, without opening another tab.
The partnership also presents new opportunities for local merchants. Businesses that already accept PayPal could soon have their products or services discoverable within ChatGPT’s marketplace.
A user searching for “custom Somali wedding cakes near Eastleigh”, for instance, could find and pay a local baker in one smooth interaction.
The PayPal-ChatGPT integration will begin rolling out gradually next year, with full functionality expected by 2026. Early testing is underway in select global markets, with plans to expand to regions including Africa.
Users will be able to link their PayPal accounts within the ChatGPT app, view balances, and confirm transactions securely inside OpenAI’s ecosystem.
Both companies have emphasised that data protection and fraud prevention remain top priorities.
PayPal’s buyer protection and secure checkout protocols will continue to apply, even when transactions occur within ChatGPT.
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