🚀 PayPal + OpenAI

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Fintech’s eating the world—don’t get left behind in 2025! If you haven’t already, check out our FREE Spot The Next Big Fintech Guide

Hey Fintech Explorers—Welcome back to Money Explored, the essential Sunday newsletter to stay ahead in fintech!

This week, a payments giant plugs into AI’s hottest platform, a long-running app store battle finally cracks open, and a European powerhouse proves that tariffs can’t slow down momentum. You’ll also want to keep reading for this week’s sponsor, Proton Mail, and why more professionals are ditching Gmail to take back their privacy.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• PayPal teams up with OpenAI to power ChatGPT-driven commerce. 🚀

• Google opens Play Store payments to outside processors. 🚪

• Adyen posts double-digit growth despite tariff turbulence. 📈

Plus: A CEO switch at a top challenger bank, a fintech going stateside, and a fresh billion-dollar milestone north of the border.

It’s all happening—and that’s just the start…

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

PayPal Teams Up with OpenAI for ChatGPT Sales 🚀

The Big Story 📰: PayPal's recent partnership with OpenAI has sent its shares soaring by 10%, as it targets the burgeoning AI shopping sector. This collaboration will integrate PayPal's services within ChatGPT, allowing the platform's 800 million weekly active users to purchase products seamlessly. In an optimistic forecast, PayPal raised its adjusted earnings per share prediction for 2025 and declared its first-ever quarterly dividend in its 27-year history. With this strategic pivot, PayPal is looking to harness AI-driven commerce to reconnect with consumers and stimulate growth after facing a downturn post-pandemic.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This partnership marks a significant moment for PayPal, positioning it to capitalize on the emerging trend of AI-driven shopping. By streamlining the purchase experience within ChatGPT, PayPal stands to attract a vast user base while enhancing its merchant network's reach. The company's focus on profitability over mere revenue growth is a savvy move in today’s fluctuating market, and the raised earnings forecast reflects renewed confidence in its business model. For fintech enthusiasts and industry players, this signifies a pivotal shift as AI reshapes how consumers shop online, reinforcing the importance of innovation in sustaining competitive advantage.

Google Play Opens Door to Alternative Payments 🚪

The Big Story 📰: The US Google Play store has now opened its digital doors to alternative payment methods, as a result of the injunction stemming from the Epic Games versus Google case. This significant change means that app publishers can now choose payment options outside of Google Play billing, and they won't have to price their apps based solely on Google's payment system. Additionally, Google will no longer restrict how app prices are communicated or allow for direct download links. This injunction is set to last for three years, paving the way for increased competition in app pricing and revenue sharing, much like the past Epic Games versus Apple case.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This announcement is a game-changer not just for app publishers but for the broader fintech landscape. By providing more freedom in payment processing, publishers can potentially secure better revenue shares and engage users more directly. This shift emphasizes the growing trend of regulatory pressure pushing big tech companies to adapt, fostering a more competitive environment in the app market. For fintech innovators and payment processors, this opens new avenues for collaboration with app developers keen to optimize their revenue strategies. Expect to see a surge in alternative payment solutions and strategies tailored to meet evolving consumer and publisher demands.

Adyen’s Q3 Surge Defies Tariff Challenges 📈

The Big Story 📰: Adyen, the Dutch payments powerhouse, has outperformed market expectations in its latest quarterly report, posting a net revenue of €598.4 million ($697.9 million) for Q3, marking a 23% year-on-year increase. This impressive growth comes despite challenges posed by the end of the U.S. tariff exemption for low-value imports, which had been a concern for online retailers and fintech companies alike. The company saw its shares rise nearly 10% on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange as it continues to expand its workforce, with 86 new hires primarily in tech and commercial roles. Adyen remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, reaffirming its outlook for 2025 while adjusting its revenue expectations for 2026.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Adyen's strong quarterly performance signals robust resilience in the fintech space, particularly as it navigates tariff pressures and a shifting economic landscape. This success illustrates the potential for diverse client bases to cushion adverse impacts in an evolving market. For investors and fintech startups, Adyen’s commitment to innovation and hiring amidst widespread cutbacks serves as an important case study in balancing growth with operational pressures. As businesses recalibrate in response to market dynamics, Adyen's approach could inspire similar strategies across the industry, proving that adaptability and talent are key to sustaining momentum in fintech.