In September 2025, PayPal rolled out Links — a new way to send money (and now crypto) to almost anyone using a single, private, one-time link you share by text, DM, email, or chat. The headline feature for crypto fans: you can package up Bitcoin, Ethereum, or PayPal’s own PYUSD stablecoin into a link, drop it into a conversation, and the recipient claims it inside their own app. And because unclaimed links expire after 10 days, you have a built-in safety window to cancel if you change your mind or send it to the wrong person.
Here’s exactly how PayPal Links work, what they cost, and how to pull back a payment before it’s claimed.
What Are PayPal Links?
A PayPal Link is a unique, single-use URL tied to one specific transaction. Instead of needing the other person’s email, phone number, or PayPal username up front, you create the link in the PayPal app, then share it however you like. When the recipient taps it, they complete or accept the payment inside their own PayPal app.
The feature launched to U.S. users on September 15, 2025, with expansion to the UK, Italy, and other markets beginning later that month. Crypto support — Bitcoin, Ethereum, and PYUSD — is integrated directly into this peer-to-peer flow, letting you send those assets to PayPal, Venmo, and a growing list of external wallets that support crypto and stablecoins.
Why a link instead of a username?
- Privacy: Each link is private and created for a single transaction, so you’re not broadcasting your account details.
- Flexibility: Share it anywhere you already chat — iMessage, WhatsApp, email, Instagram DM.
- Control: You can add a note or emoji, send a reminder, or cancel before it’s claimed.
How to Send Bitcoin, Ethereum, or PYUSD via a Link
- Open the PayPal app and start a payment (the “send” flow).
- Choose the funding source — for crypto, select the asset you hold (Bitcoin, Ethereum, or PYUSD).
- Enter the amount and add an optional note or emoji.
- Choose to create a Link rather than sending to a saved contact.
- Copy the generated link and share it by text, DM, email, or chat.
- The recipient taps the link and accepts inside their PayPal (or compatible) app. If they have a PayPal Balance account, funds land instantly once accepted.
Worked example
Say you want to send a friend $50 of Bitcoin as a birthday gift. You open PayPal, pick Bitcoin as the source, enter $50, add a 🎉 emoji, and generate a link. You paste it into a birthday text. Your friend taps it, accepts, and the crypto shows up in their wallet. If they’re traveling and don’t tap it, the link simply sits there — and expires after 10 days if never claimed.
Fees: What It Costs to Send Crypto
PayPal separates trading fees (buying/selling/converting crypto) from network fees (moving crypto on the blockchain). Here’s the current U.S. picture:
| Buy / sell / convert amount (USD) | PayPal fee |
|---|---|
| $1.00 – $74.99 | 2.20% |
| $75.00 – $200.00 | 2.00% |
| $200.01 – $1,000.00 | 1.80% |
| $1,000.01 and up | 1.50% |
Key points to remember:
- PYUSD is fee-free to buy or sell. However, converting between PYUSD and another crypto (like Bitcoin) does incur the tiered fee above.
- Buying and selling also include a spread — a small markup baked into the exchange rate you see before you confirm.
- Sending crypto to an external wallet adds only the blockchain network fee (paid in the crypto being moved), with no extra PayPal charge. Bitcoin network fees commonly run around $1–$2.50 depending on congestion.
- Holding crypto in your PayPal account is free.
The 10-Day Expiry — and How to Cancel Before It’s Claimed
This is the part worth internalizing. An unclaimed PayPal Link expires after 10 days. Before that happens, you have two tools in the app:
- Send a reminder — nudge the recipient to claim it.
- Cancel the payment or request — as long as the link has not been claimed, you can pull it back.
Steps to cancel an unclaimed link
- Open the PayPal app and go to Activity (or your Wallet/Links section).
- Find the pending Link payment.
- Select it and choose Cancel.
- The funds return to your original source once the cancellation processes.
Important nuance on crypto: Blockchain transactions are irreversible once they’ve actually settled on-chain. The cancel window applies while the payment is still an unclaimed link inside PayPal’s system — before the recipient accepts and any on-chain transfer is finalized. Once a recipient claims crypto and it moves on the blockchain, it can’t be reversed. So think of the 10-day window as your chance to reclaim funds that are still parked in PayPal’s pending state, not to undo a completed blockchain transfer.
| Situation | Can you cancel? |
|---|---|
| Link created, not yet claimed | Yes — cancel anytime within 10 days |
| Link ignored for 10 days | Expires automatically; funds return to you |
| Recipient has claimed / crypto settled on-chain | No — blockchain transfers are irreversible |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the recipient need a PayPal account to claim crypto?
To accept crypto, the recipient needs a PayPal, Venmo, or another compatible wallet that supports crypto and stablecoins. They tap the link and complete acceptance inside that app. If they have a PayPal Balance account, funds are available instantly once accepted.
What happens if nobody claims my link?
Unclaimed PayPal Links expire after 10 days. When a link expires, the transaction doesn’t go through and your funds are returned to the source you sent from. You can also cancel manually before the 10 days are up.
Is it cheaper to send PYUSD than Bitcoin?
Often, yes. PYUSD has no buy/sell fee, and as a stablecoin it isn’t subject to price swings. Bitcoin and Ethereum sends can involve the tiered trading fee plus a blockchain network fee. If your goal is simply moving dollars to someone, PYUSD is usually the lower-cost, lower-volatility option.
Can I cancel after the recipient claims the crypto?
No. Once crypto is claimed and the transfer settles on the blockchain, it’s irreversible. The cancel option only works while the link is still unclaimed and pending inside PayPal.
The Bottom Line
PayPal Links turn crypto into something you can text like a photo — create a private, one-time link for Bitcoin, Ethereum, or PYUSD, share it anywhere, and let the recipient claim it in their own app. The 10-day expiry and the ability to cancel or remind before a link is claimed give you a genuine safety net that raw blockchain sends never offer. Just remember the golden rule: cancel while it’s still unclaimed — once crypto settles on-chain, it’s gone for good. For everyday dollar transfers, PYUSD is the cheapest, steadiest choice; for gifting or holding, Bitcoin and Ethereum work too, just mind the trading and network fees.
WalletWisp is an informational resource and does not provide financial, investment, or tax advice. Always verify current fees and terms in the PayPal app before sending.
