PayPal has launched a new platform called PayPal World to simplify cross-border payments and digital wallet interoperability for both consumers and businesses.
The platform is expected to go live later this year, starting with interoperability between PayPal, Venmo, and other participating networks from key markets.
PayPal World will initially support five payment systems: Mercado Pago, NPCI (UPI), Tenpay Global, PayPal, and Venmo, all of which will be interoperable through the platform.
Together, these networks represent nearly two billion users globally.
PayPal World aims to tackle long-standing issues in international shopping and remittances, such as high fees, delays, and the lack of wallet acceptance abroad.
Through the platform, consumers will be able to use their local payment systems and currencies at millions of merchants worldwide, both online and in-store.
They will also be able to send money across borders using their existing apps.
For businesses, PayPal World allows access to a broader customer base without the need for additional integrations.
Once connected, merchants can accept payments from users of any wallet that joins the platform.
The infrastructure is designed to be technology-agnostic, using open APIs and a cloud-native architecture to support global deployment with low latency and high reliability.
The platform is also built to support future commerce models such as agentic shopping, where users interact with AI-powered agents to complete purchases.
Support for new tools such as dynamic payment buttons and stablecoin is expected over time.
A notable development is the full interoperability between PayPal and Venmo.
Users of either app will soon be able to send money to each other internationally.
Beginning in 2026, Venmo users will also be able to shop at merchants that accept PayPal, expanding access to its younger, urban, and digitally native customer base.
As part of the initial phase, PayPal and Venmo users visiting mainland China will be able to make payments by scanning Weixin Pay QR codes, through integration with Tenpay Global.
The two companies are also exploring additional remittance services under the PayPal World framework.
“PayPal World is a first-of-its-kind payments ecosystem that will bring together many of the world’s largest payment systems and digital wallets on a single platform. It is testament to the passion our partners share for an inclusive, global digital economy and has the potential to revolutionize cross-border commerce.
The challenge of moving money across borders is incredibly complex, and yet this platform will make it so simple for nearly two billion consumers and businesses. We believe the changes we are announcing today have the potential to be a real game changer over time. We can’t wait to welcome many more global partners, wallets, and their users soon.”
said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik
