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From payment processor to commerce platform: PayPal’s new card launch tells a bigger story

  • PayPal is rolling out a new physical card that brings its PayPal Credit offering into brick-and-mortar stores.
  • We take a closer look at how its launch signals PayPal’s broader shift from a payment processor to a commerce platform.
Sara Khairi | July 14, 2025
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    The new card is just one step in PayPal’s broader commerce strategy

    Even as tap-to-pay and mobile wallets become popular, the physical card isn’t going anywhere just yet. PayPal is the latest firm to reaffirm that belief, rolling out a new physical card that brings its PayPal Credit offering into brick-and-mortar stores.

    The move broadens PayPal Credit’s reach, bringing it to in-store purchases, in addition to online checkouts with PayPal. It has a limited-time perk: customers can divide their payments on travel purchases over six months through promotional financing, with no minimum spend required. Shoppers can also apply for a PayPal Buy Now Pay Later loan at checkout in person. The new PayPal card is expected to roll out in the coming weeks to US customers.

    I spoke with Scott Young, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Consumer Financial Services at PayPal, to learn more about the new card and how its launch signals PayPal’s broader shift from a payment processor to a commerce platform.

    …

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