PayPal, NPCI partner to enable global UPI payments.
In a significant move towards enhancing cross-border payments, Indian consumers can now use UPI (Unified Payments Interface) for seamless and hassle-free international transactions, thanks to a new partnership between PayPal and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This integration allows users to make global purchases and payments using the familiar and secure UPI platform, eliminating the need for credit cards or foreign exchange complications. The initiative marks a major step in expanding UPI’s global footprint and making digital payments more accessible and efficient for Indian users worldwide.
PayPal Partners with NPCI to Integrate UPI for Global Transactions, Marking a New Era in Cross-Border Payments
The development marks a significant step in making international transactions more seamless, accessible, and user-friendly for millions of Indian consumers and global merchants alike.
With UPI now supported on PayPal’s platform, Indian users can conduct international purchases and money transfers directly using their familiar UPI credentials—without the need for credit cards, international banking arrangements, or foreign exchange hassles.
A Major Leap in Cross-Border PaymentsUPI, which has revolutionized domestic digital transactions in India with its real-time, low-cost interface, is now poised to make a global impact. Through this partnership, PayPal seeks to build interoperability between UPI, PayPal, and even Venmo, its peer-to-peer payment service popular in the United States. This synergy allows users across various regions and platforms to transact more freely, bridging the gap between domestic and global payment ecosystems.
“This is more than just a technological upgrade,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal. Our collaboration with NPCI is about removing those barriers. We want to make payments as effortless internationally as they are domestically.”
Chriss added that the integration of UPI into PayPal World will help streamline everything from online shopping and in-store purchases to AI-powered, frictionless transactions that span across national boundaries.
The integration comes as part of the launch of PayPal World, a new global payment platform designed to support online commerce, in-store transactions, and advanced payment features like AI-driven smart suggestions and automated billing across borders. The platform already includes nearly two billion users across its launch partners, making this one of the most ambitious digital payment ecosystems ever attempted.
According to PayPal, the platform is intended not only for individual consumers but also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who often face disproportionate costs and logistical hurdles when it comes to international trade.
By offering UPI as a payment option globally, PayPal is opening the doors to Indian freelancers, exporters, and digital entrepreneurs who rely on cross-border payments for income. It also simplifies international shopping for everyday consumers, enabling them to pay for goods and services abroad with the same ease and confidence they do at home.
UPI’s Global AscentWhat began as a domestic payment interface in India has now grown into one of the most recognized digital payment systems globally. Over the past few years, India has signed various agreements with countries like Singapore, UAE, France, and Bhutan to accept UPI for local payments.
It marks a major step forward in our vision to take UPI to the world and provide Indian consumers and businesses with global access like never before,” Shukla said.
He noted that the move would particularly benefit millions of Indians who transact internationally—whether it’s for online education, e-commerce, travel, or freelancing—and need a reliable and cost-effective payment method.
For Indian consumers, this partnership means greater convenience, reduced transaction fees, and faster processing times when shopping from international websites or paying for services abroad. For businesses, it unlocks a massive new user base accustomed to using UPI for everyday transactions.
Moreover, the collaboration is expected to foster greater financial inclusion by bridging the gap between different payment technologies and regions. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, this kind of integration is essential for growth and resilience.
The Road AheadWhile the rollout will be phased, early indicators suggest a strong demand and enthusiasm from both consumers and businesses. The partnership between PayPal and NPCI may well serve as a blueprint for future alliances between global payment providers and national fintech platforms.
In essence, the alliance between PayPal, NPCI, and UPI is not just a technical integration—it’s a reshaping of how global money moves, making digital payments truly borderless and user-centric.
As UPI steps confidently onto the world stage, backed by one of the largest global digital wallets, the future of payments has never looked more interconnected—or more Indian.