PayPal has introduced a new way to send money that’s as simple as sharing a link, with built-in crypto support and no tax forms.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal launched “PayPal Links”, allowing users to send or request money via a personalized, one-time link.
- Crypto integration is coming soon, enabling users in the US to send Bitcoin, Ethereum, PYUSD, and more through the PayPal app.
- No transaction fees or 1099-K tax forms apply for friends-and-family transfers, maintaining privacy and simplicity.
- Global rollout begins in the US, with expansion to the UK, Italy, and more countries later this month.
What Happened?
PayPal has rolled out a new feature called PayPal Links, revolutionizing how peer-to-peer (P2P) payments are made. The feature enables users to send or receive money using a unique, one-time link that can be dropped into any conversation across messaging platforms. Users in the US can access this now, with international expansion to follow.
The update also includes planned crypto support, allowing users to send cryptocurrencies directly through the PayPal and Venmo apps, expanding the utility of digital currencies in everyday transactions.
Launching today: PayPal links 🚀
— PayPal (@PayPal) September 15, 2025
Send and receive money as easily as sending a message–just share a one-time link by text, DM, or email.
Live now in the US, and more markets soon.
Coming next: crypto support for peer-to-peer via the PayPal app—including Bitcoin, Ethereum,… pic.twitter.com/H3ZDGUBGiS
How PayPal Links Works?
With PayPal Links, sending money is now just a few taps away:
- Create a payment or request within the PayPal app and generate a private, one-time-use link.
- Share the link via text, email, chat, or DM to anyone with a PayPal account. If they don’t have one, they’ll be prompted to sign up.
- Transactions are secure and instant, and recipients can access funds immediately through their PayPal Balance account.
- Unclaimed links expire in 10 days, and senders can cancel or remind the recipient before the expiration.
Each link is tied to a specific transaction, ensuring privacy and security. The feature is especially helpful for splitting bills, collecting group gifts, or sending international payments in over 110 currencies.
Crypto Gets a Seat at the P2P Table
A major upgrade to PayPal Links is the upcoming integration of cryptocurrency into the P2P payment flow. Soon, users in the US will be able to send:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- PayPal USD (PYUSD)
- Other supported digital assets
These crypto transfers can be made not just within PayPal, but also to Venmo and other digital wallets that support crypto and stablecoins. This move is part of PayPal’s larger strategy to expand its crypto ecosystem and global interoperability.
No Tax Headaches for Personal Transfers
PayPal emphasized that friends-and-family transfers made using PayPal Links or Venmo will not trigger 1099-K tax forms, a concern that has grown with increased IRS scrutiny on digital payments. Gifts, reimbursements, or shared expenses will continue to be treated as personal payments, keeping the experience simple and private for users.
PayPal’s Broader Vision: Seamless Global Payments
Diego Scotti, General Manager of PayPal’s Consumer Group, shared the company’s vision:
This launch comes on the heels of PayPal World, a platform designed to link the world’s biggest digital wallets. Together, these efforts signal a major push by PayPal to remain at the forefront of global payments by eliminating friction, boosting interoperability, and expanding crypto utility.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, few companies match PayPal when it comes to staying relevant in digital finance, and this rollout is a textbook example of user-first innovation. The simplicity of PayPal Links combined with instant crypto support is something the market didn’t just want, it needed. Whether you’re splitting rent, sending birthday cash, or managing group travel expenses, this feature has real, practical utility. I found the lack of fees and tax reporting for personal payments particularly refreshing. It’s smart, smooth, and surprisingly social.
