TLDR
- PayPal announced a partnership with TerraPay to enable real-time fund transfers across Middle East and Africa
- MENA digital payments market valued at $251.34 billion in 2025, expected to reach $422.56 billion by 2030
- Partnership will connect banks, mobile wallets, and financial institutions to make cross-border transactions faster and more accessible
- PayPal recently added Chainlink and Solana cryptocurrencies to its platform
- Wall Street gives PYPL stock a Moderate Buy rating with 42.51% upside potential
PayPal has taken a major step to boost its global presence by announcing a strategic partnership with TerraPay, a leading money movement company. The collaboration aims to enable real-time fund transfers for PayPal customers across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, making cross-border transactions faster and more accessible.
The partnership will connect banks, mobile wallets, and financial institutions to drive economic growth in these regions. Users will be able to link their mobile wallets and bank accounts to PayPal for secure and seamless money transfers.
This move comes at a strategic time. The Middle East and North Africa digital payments market is currently valued at $251.34 billion in 2025, according to Mordor Intelligence. The market is projected to grow to $422.56 billion by 2030, representing a substantial opportunity for payment providers.
“The Middle East and Africa are at the forefront of the digital transformation, yet financial barriers still limit growth for many,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President at PayPal. “By partnering with TerraPay, we’re making it easier for businesses and individuals to make cross-border transactions, quickly, securely, and without friction.”
Expanding Financial Access
The collaboration will provide enhanced accessibility for customers through secure account linking and seamless fund transfers from mobile wallets and bank accounts with PayPal. This expanded financial connectivity will empower millions of customers to transact internationally with ease.
Many regions in the Middle East and Africa have leapfrogged traditional banking infrastructure in favor of mobile money solutions. This partnership builds on that trend by connecting these systems to global payment networks.
TerraPay already operates a vast payment network regulated in over 30 global markets. Their platform enables payments to 144+ receiving countries and 210+ sending countries, connecting over 3.7 billion mobile wallets and 7.5 billion bank accounts worldwide.
“Our mission at TerraPay is to create a world where digital transactions are effortless, secure, and accessible to all,” said Ani Sane, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at TerraPay. “This partnership with PayPal marks a major milestone in expanding financial access across the Middle East and Africa.”
Crypto Expansion Continues
Beyond this regional partnership, PayPal has been expanding its cryptocurrency offerings. The company recently added Chainlink (LINK) and Solana (SOL) to its platform, allowing users to buy, hold, sell, and transfer these tokens directly within their PayPal accounts.
This brings the total number of cryptocurrencies supported by PayPal to seven, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
These moves align with PayPal’s broader strategy to diversify its payment options and provide users with more choices for digital transactions.
The company has been operating in the digital payments space for over 25 years. PayPal currently serves customers in approximately 200 markets globally, making it one of the most widely available payment platforms in the world.
Through the TerraPay partnership, PayPal will gain access to TerraPay’s infrastructure, which includes connections to over 3.7 billion mobile wallets and 7.5 billion bank accounts. This vastly expands PayPal’s reach in regions where traditional banking penetration may be lower but mobile wallet usage is high.
The partnership specifically focuses on making cross-border payments more accessible. This is particularly important in regions where remittances form a key part of many economies.
Wall Street appears optimistic about PayPal’s prospects. The stock currently has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 17 Buys and 16 Holds assigned in the last three months.
At $42.51, the average PayPal stock price target implies a 42.51% upside potential from current levels. This suggests analysts see room for growth despite competitive pressures in the digital payments space.
The move to partner with TerraPay represents PayPal’s continued effort to expand its footprint in emerging markets. The company faces competition from both traditional financial institutions and newer fintech companies in these regions.
The partnership with TerraPay will allow PayPal customers in the Middle East and Africa to make real-time fund transfers, connecting their PayPal accounts with local mobile wallets and bank accounts.
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