Payment Expert’s Fintech Unwrapped delivers the latest and developing news that has shaped the sector over the course of the week.
This week, agentic commerce and retail took another step in its surging growth as PayPal and Perplexity partner to expand the former’s merchant base reach with customers by being able to make payments via AI apps.
Also this week, Worldline expands its AndroidPOS solution to the UK, and NatWest is supporting several Universities across the country, while Paysafe and Ant International launch popular payment methods in Brazil and Bahrain, respectively.
PayPal supports AI payments through chatbots
PayPal confirmed it will enable its merchants to gain greater access to new customers through AI chatbots, in partnership with Perplexity, on November 25.
US Perplexity users will now be able to swiftly land on the merchant site through browsing on AI applications, directly into the payment process through PayPal’s verification services Purchase and Seller protection.
The objective for both PayPal and Perplexity is to support the growing rise of AI commerce retail by enabling real-time checkouts and completing the payment experience in a more fast and secure approach, while also expanding PayPals’ global merchant base to new customers.
“Our collaboration with Perplexity is the opening act of PayPal’s innovation in commerce for the agentic era,” said Michelle Gill, General Manager of Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal. “This is the continuation of our decades-long commitment to make AI-driven commerce seamless and interoperable across every platform.”
Worldline’s AndroidPOS arrives in the UK
Worldline has launched its AndroidPOS, the point-of-sale (POS) payment platform to expand flexibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the UK.
Unveiled on November 25, AndroidPOS terminal provides a range of business applications, such as more payment methods, enhanced customer engagement tools, and adaptability features to meet new customer preferences.
The platform provides key features such as POS Advertising that turns terminals into digital displays for customer engagement and promotions, and Smart Engage, which enables merchants to collect instant feedback through on-screen surveys.
“Small & Medium Businesses (SMB) tell us they’re tired of juggling multiple vendors for payments, loyalty, and customer data,” said Habib Ansari, UK Country Head of SMB at Worldline. “Android SmartPOS brings it all together on one terminal. One solution. Real growth.”
NatWest to support universities and young entrepreneurs
NatWest has partnered with four UK universities to foster greater innovation growth for the startup economy across the country.
The partnerships with University of Manchester, Brighton, and York will see NatWest provide support for early stage businesses and student entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the UK bank will work alongside the University of Oxford’s Equinox to uncover new economic growth opportunities.
These university partnerships build on NatWest’s commitment to a manifesto signed in March to bring its Accelerator product to these schools. NatWest revealed it is aiming to partner with up to seven universities by 2027.
“Our Accelerator community has always been about empowering entrepreneurs to scale and succeed,” said Robert Begbie, CEO, Commercial & Institutional Banking at NatWest Group. “By partnering with leading universities and surpassing our 2025 ambition, we’re showing how collaboration can drive sustainable growth across every region of the UK.”
Alipay+ launches in Bahrain
Ant International announced the launch of Alipay+ in Bahrain after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with fintech company BENEFIT.
This will allow 15,000 Bahrain merchants to integrate the global mobile wallet gateway to offer QR code cross-border payments to their customers.
“We are honoured to collaborate with BENEFIT, one of the Middle East’s foremost fintech and digital payments institutions, to bring the innovative Alipay+ solution to Bahraini businesses,” said Pietro Candela, General Manager of EMEA for Alipay+.
“Together we aim to empower local merchants of all sizes to accept seamless payments from international travellers that Alipay+ serves with its partner wallets, while also working towards enabling BENEFIT customers to access our services in international markets in the future.”
Paysafe enables Pix for subscription payments
Paysafe will now be able to onboard Boosteroid players subscription payments through Pix in Brazil.
Gamers will also be able to use the Paysafe SafetyPay solution on Boosteroid’s online checkout, alongside Pix, to complete the transaction after clicking on the Paysafe checkout option and securing the subscription following a scan of a Pix QR code.
“With over two decades’ experience streamlining payments for video gaming, it’s coded into our DNA as a company, so we’re delighted to strengthen our partnership with Boosteroid, a true innovator when it comes to technology, games and entertainment,” said Rob Gatto, Chief Revenue Officer at Paysafe.
“By tailoring Boosteroid’s checkout to include the local payment solutions Brazilian gamers expect to see when transacting online, we hope to help the gaming provider grow its player-base and broader revenue in Latin America’s largest economy.”
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