UPDATED 13:50 EST / AUGUST 17 2023

BLOCKCHAIN

Crypto hardware wallet maker Ledger teams up with PayPal

Ledger SAS, the maker of cryptocurrency hardware wallets, partnered with online payments giant PayPal Inc. to make it easier for users to purchase crypto through its Ledger Live platform, the companies announced Wednesday.

When using PayPal through Ledger’s application, U.S-based users will be able to buy major cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin, using their directly linked PayPal account.

Ledger produces a type of hardware device that safely stores the private cryptographic keys used for cryptocurrency transactions called a hardware wallet. By using a hardware wallet, users have an extra level of trust that their private keys cannot be accessed by an outside party when they want to execute transaction such as buying, selling or trading their cryptocurrency. Hardware wallets often come with extra levels of security such as a PIN code or biometric locks that are required to authenticate before decrypting the private keys.

Through the partnership with Ledger, PayPal is continuing its outreach to less crypto-savvy users by allowing them to buy cryptocurrencies more easily. Ordinarily, buying cryptocurrencies requires signing up on a crypto exchange, such as Coinbase or Kraken, purchasing it there and then transferring it into a wallet.

“Both PayPal and Ledger are focused on creating secure, seamless, and fast transactions no matter where you are in the world,” said Ledger Chairman and Chief Executive Pascal Gauthier.

PayPal opened its own service allowing users to hold, buy and sell cryptocurrency on its own platform in 2020 by offering users access to major crypto tokens including bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Earlier this week, PayPal quietly revealed plans to open up a “Cryptocurrencies Hub,” to select users with access to even more cryptocurrencies, with a direct connection to a user’s PayPal account.

This follows the launch of PayPal’s own stablecoin, PayPal USD or PYUSD, earlier this month. It’s a type of cryptocurrency that maintains a one-to-one parity with another currency, in this case the U.S. dollar. Stablecoins are used in the crypto industry as a way to facilitate the easy trade between more volatile currencies because they don’t fluctuate in value. In the case of PYUSD, each token will always redeem for $1.

It appears that the Cryptocurrencies Hub will be central for how users will convert their crypto assets between different cryptocurrencies and PYUSD. It will also empower users to use the proceeds from their crypto transactions to complete purchases through the PayPal platform.

Combined the hub and the stablecoin with the partnership with Ledger, PayPal is continuing its embrace of the crypto ecosystem and building on even more ways to use its ecosystem with crypto payments.

“Ledger is committed to simplifying the world of crypto, and PayPal is committed to making the movement of money as simple, secure and affordable as possible,” said Gauthier. “This integration provides greater optionality while giving users peace of mind converting dollars into crypto.”

Image: Ledger

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