PayPal to Buy Japan’s Paidy for $3.67 Billion

PayPal Holdings Inc. agreed to buy Japanese “buy now, pay later” startup Paidy Inc. for about $2.7 billion, in a move that will boost its business in the world’s third-largest e-commerce market.

The transaction adds to a flurry of activity involving companies that let consumers pay for purchases in instalments, as an alternative to traditional forms of credit. In August, Square Inc. said it would buy Australia’s Afterpay Ltd. for about $39 billion, while Affirm Holdings Inc. entered a partnership with Amazon.com Inc., sending the financial-technology group’s shares soaring.

U.S.-listed PayPal says it has more than 400 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets. Its business has grown rapidly with the shift from cash and in-store card spending to digital payments and e-commerce. PayPal has used the pandemic’s shift toward contactless payments to push into big chain stores via QR codes.

In the second quarter, PayPal handled more than $400 billion of payments for the first time in its history.

PayPal will pay for Paidy primarily in cash, it said late Tuesday. It expects the deal to close in the fourth quarter and to minimally dilute earnings per share, as measured on a non-GAAP basis, or not in line with generally accepted accounting principles.

Paidy lets Japanese shoppers make purchases online and then make monthly payments in a consolidated bill at a convenience store or via bank transfer.

The company uses proprietary technology to score creditworthiness, underwrite transactions and guarantee payment to merchants, and says its 3-Pay monthly installment offering has more than 6 million registered users.

Paidy will continue to operate its existing business, retain its own brand, and continue to be led by Russell Cummer, founder and executive chairman, and Riku Sugie, president and chief executive.

Paidy’s backers include George Soros’s sons Jonathan and Robert. In April, Paidy said it had raised a total of $120 million of so-called Series D funding from the two men’s family offices, JS Capital Management LLC and Soros Capital Management LLC, as well from the investment managers Tybourne Capital Management Ltd. and Wellington Management.

BofA Securities Inc. acted as financial adviser to PayPal, while Goldman Sachs Group Inc. advised Paidy.

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to implement a national-level cryptocurrency payment system for tourism, marking a major milestone in digital innovation and travel.

Launched in partnership with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank, the system enables travellers with Binance accounts to enjoy a seamless, end-to-end crypto-powered journey. More than 100 local merchants, from hotels and tour operators to small roadside vendors in remote villages, are already live on the system.

“This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan.

“It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

Using supported cryptocurrencies, tourists can now pay for nearly every part of their trip, including airline tickets, visas, the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel stays, monument entry fees, local guides, and shopping, all through secure static and dynamic QR code payments.

Binance CEO Richard Teng praised the move, saying: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

Known as the “Kingdom of Happiness,” Bhutan has long prioritised Gross National Happiness over GDP, with a strong focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. The new system aligns with these values by reducing payment friction and bringing financial inclusion to local communities.

Among the key features of the system:

Seamless Experience: Tourists can pay with crypto for all travel-related expenses.
Inclusive Reach: Small vendors, even in remote areas, can accept QR code payments.
Lower Fees: Transactions cost significantly less than traditional payment methods.
Comprehensive Support: More than 100 cryptocurrencies supported, including BNB, BTC, and USDC.
Secure and Instant: Real-time confirmations, 2FA, and encrypted transactions via the Binance app.

Behind the local settlement mechanism is DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, it aims to deliver accessible financial services to all, including marginalised and unbanked communities.

The launch is being hailed as a bold step forward in integrating digital finance with global tourism — one that could set the benchmark for other nations looking to modernise the travel experience while empowering their local economies.

PayPal to Buy Japan’s Paidy for $3.67 Billion

It’s the latest in a flurry of deals involving ‘buy now, pay later’ companies

Bhutan is pioneering a new frontier in travel by allowing tourists to pay for flights, visas, hotels and even fruit stalls using cryptocurrency via Binance Pay.