PayPal Integrates with ChatGPT: Direct Payments Arriving in 2026
PayPal has announced that it will soon be possible to use its digital wallet directly within ChatGPT for purchases.
The integration, set for 2026, will leverage the newly added Instant Checkout feature within OpenAI’s chatbot.
A Payment Process as Simple as Anywhere Else
Users will see a “Pay with PayPal” option when making a purchase through ChatGPT. The interface will be identical to that used on other e-commerce websites, allowing access to cards and accounts saved in the PayPal wallet, as well as a summary of shipping and contact information.
This announcement comes a month after OpenAI introduced its “Buy Now” button and instant payment system, initially deployed on Etsy and Shopify and later expanded to Walmart.
Thanks to the Agentic Commerce protocol, products from retailers accepting PayPal can now be purchased directly from ChatGPT without the need for separate sign-up.
ChatGPT: The Future of Intelligent Shopping Assistant?
The addition of PayPal aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to transform ChatGPT into an AI-powered shopping assistant. Users will be able to make purchases not only in the chatbot but also throughout the OpenAI ecosystem, including the ChatGPT Atlas browser and the upcoming consumer device designed with Jony Ive.
By paving the way for intelligent “buyer agents,” OpenAI aims to streamline the shopping experience while exploring new revenue streams within its conversational ecosystem.
