PayPal to offer crypto payments starting in 2021

PayPal announced on Wednesday its entry into the cryptocurrency market, according to multiple reports.

PayPal customers will be able to use cryptocurrencies to shop at any merchant in its large network starting from early 2021, the company said.

The payments will be settled through fiat currencies, similar to many existing crypto merchant solutions like BitPay.

The coins initially supported will include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, the company said.

The payments giant partnered with Paxos to deliver the service, as well as obtaining a conditional cryptocurrency license from the New York State Department of Financial Services, sometimes called the BitLicense.

In addition to cryptocurrency payments, PayPal users will also be able to purchase crypto directly through the app.

PayPal will thus feature a cryptocurrency wallet, letting users buy, sell and hold crypto via the PayPal apps.

PayPal is one of the largest global payment providers, with 346 million active accounts and $222 billion in volume processed in Q2 2020.

Rumors of a planned crypto integration surfaced earlier this year.

The company was nevertheless criticized in crypto circles due to perceived unfair practices and the amount of control it has within its own network.