The news: PayPal posted net revenue growth of 5% YoY at $8.3 billion due to strong performances of Venmo, its debit card, and Braintree, per its earnings report. Our take: PayPal is leaning into its branded experience and tech innovations to power its way through 2025.

The news: Cash App launched “pools”—a feature to make group payments frictionless—to a limited number of US-based users with plans for a later wider rollout, per a press release. Our take: Cash App wants to cement itself among Gen Z users, households making up to $150,000 annually, and the populations traditionally overlooked by legacy financial institutions.

The news: PayPal launched PayPal World, a global platform linking major international payment systems and digital wallets. Our take: While PayPal’s starting list of key partnerships represents Latin America, India, and China, the payment provider could penetrate further into European markets by tying up with the European Payments Initiative and the Wero wallet—as well as with top US wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay or the nascent Paze.

The news: PayPal rolled out a dynamic, AI-powered scam alert system to protect consumers against fraud for “Friends and Family” transactions. Our take: Rolling out user-facing AI-powered fraud protection alerts increases PayPal’s visibility as a safe financial provider for more than just online checkout at well-known retailers.

The news: PayPal users can get 20% cash back on their Taco Bell orders if they check out with PayPal or Venmo in-app or online, per a press release. Our take: For Taco Bell enthusiasts, 20% cash back every week may be too good of an offer to refuse.

The news: PayPal partnered with the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences to enable payments for participating student-athletes. Our take: Capitalizing on young, emerging student consumers is a strong opportunity to secure long-time and loyal PayPal and Venmo users.

The news: PayPal will serve as Selfbook’s commerce partner for its travel and hotel offerings, per a press release. Customers can book travel arrangements directly within the PayPal app. Our take: Consumers want travel features from their banks, which PayPal has taken up as a fintech payment provider.

Along with expanded access to Pay with Venmo and a buzzy ad campaign, Venmo is trying to reach key demographics.

With seamless in-app purchases coming, PayPal could turn Perplexity into a trusted, AI-driven checkout hub—especially for younger, AI-hungry consumers.

Economic uncertainty could derail its efforts to reinvigorate growth

The payments giant also deepened its tie-up with Coinbase to make buying and using the asset more accessible

Paying by smartphone is now routine for a growing number of consumers, both in stores and online. Recent data shows the size of the user base, shifting demographics, shopper preferences, and how mobile fits into the spectrum of payment options.​

Uptake could be limited given the crypto market plunge

The P2P player was able to make this pivot thanks to the success of its integration in banks’ apps, which currently lead to 98% of its transactions

The option can help boost customer engagement and build its brand awareness among potential new customers

It can help Google build brand loyalty among Gen Alpha and better compete with Apple Wallet

The company is trying to better market itself as a B2B company and grow its checkout business

Fraud concerns aren’t slowing down the P2P player as its growth outpaces peers