PayPal launches AI agent payment tools as shopping automation hits 40%

PayPal launched an agentic commerce services suite designed to enable AI-driven shopping experiences, featuring an “agent ready” payment solution and “store sync” catalog management tool. The initiative positions PayPal to capture emerging opportunities in AI-powered commerce, where 40% of US consumers have already used AI to help with purchases in the past year.

What you should know: PayPal’s new suite addresses the growing trend of AI agents making purchases on behalf of consumers through conversational interfaces and automated shopping tools.
• The “agent ready” solution enables existing PayPal merchants to accept payments via AI tools like chatbots or AI browsers, with built-in fraud detection and buyer protection.
• “Store sync” helps merchants connect their product catalogs, inventory, and fulfillment systems to AI checkout experiences through a single integration.
• Both services aim to reduce merchant workload while expanding their reach across multiple AI platforms.

The big picture: Major tech companies are building infrastructure for a future where AI assistants can complete purchases autonomously, similar to OpenAI’s Instant Checkout feature in ChatGPT and Google’s planned Gemini ordering capabilities.
• Adobe Analytics data shows 39% of consumers have used generative AI for online shopping, while 53% intend to use AI for shopping this year.
• PayPal’s survey found that 43% of US consumers expect to use AI for purchases during the upcoming holiday season.

Key details: The agent ready payment solution will become available in early 2026, offering merchants access to new discovery channels while maintaining payment flexibility.
• Store sync will initially integrate with partners including Wix, Cymbio, Commerce (BigCommerce & Feedonomics), and Shopware.
• Merchants will be able to appear on multiple AI platforms through a single PayPal integration, including Perplexity before the end of the year.
• The PayPal app is currently testing its own shopping agent experience.

How to access: Existing PayPal merchants can sign up through the PayPal.ai page, with store sync enrollment becoming available soon.