Why DP World & PayPal are Uniting for Faster Global Payments

In 2024, global cross-border spending stood at US$194.6tn and is forecast to rise to US$320tn by 2032. Yet, in spite of more than 70 countries adopting real-time payment systems, many trade corridors still face high fees and lengthy settlement times.

To combat this, DP World has signed an agreement with PayPal to create a faster and more transparent cross-border payments solution, streamlining how global trade settles transactions.

The aim is to reduce the time it takes for merchants, exporters, importers and marketplaces to receive payments from days to minutes.

The move forms part of DP World’s Digital Payments initiative, which is designed to support international trade by offering quicker and more cost-effective ways to move money across borders. 

DP World Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem says the initiative is rooted in the company’s drive to make logistics smarter.

He explains: "In logistics, speed and transparency mean everything and payments linked to logistics are no different, which is why we have undertaken our Digital Payments initiative.

"Our collaboration with PayPal is part of this initiative which aims to provide our customers with reliable options for cross-border payments that are faster and more transparent than traditional systems without compromising security.

"By simplifying global transactions, we are enabling businesses of every size to grow, move faster, and operate more efficiently across markets."

The current process for international payments often takes up to a week to complete, with costs and delays caused by outdated banking systems. DP World and PayPal want to replace that experience with a solution that offers same-day settlement, reduced fees and clear visibility for users.

Sultan Ahmed adds: "This solution marks another important step in DP World’s journey to transform the supply chain and make trade flow more efficiently. These partnerships allow us to bring trusted, digital-first solutions to global commerce, helping businesses and individuals trade more efficiently."

This collaboration builds on PayPal’s role as a major player in global commerce, while DP World brings its logistics and supply chain expertise into the mix. Together, they aim to remove friction and complexity from cross-border payments.

A new global standard

Alex Chriss, President and Chief Executive of PayPal, highlights that global trade "works best when payments are fast, transparent and secure".

He continues: "That is exactly what this partnership with DP World is delivering. For too long, global businesses have been underserved by traditional cross-border payment systems.

"Today, we are setting a new standard. I am proud to mark this milestone in a region that is becoming a global hub for digital innovation, as we continue building more connected and inclusive financial services for businesses worldwide.”

Together, the two companies plan to integrate DP World’s trade logistics with PayPal’s secure payments infrastructure, including future-facing technology such as distributed ledgers and stablecoins – types of blockchain-based digital currencies that are tied to real-world assets to reduce volatility. These integrations offer potential to enhance transaction speed and traceability.

A growing need for real-time solutions

Payments delays can have wide-reaching effects, especially for small to mid-sized businesses that rely on timely access to capital. The new platform targets those issues directly, offering seamless settlement in minutes rather than days.

For merchants and marketplaces, that means more predictable cash flow, lower operating costs and the ability to scale across markets without being slowed down by traditional banking.

The partnership also aligns with broader fintech trends in 2025. As financial services move towards cloud-based and digital-first models, logistics companies and fintech firms are increasingly working together to remove bottlenecks from trade.

By reducing friction, cutting costs and boosting transparency, DP World and PayPal are positioning their solution as a new benchmark in global payments.