DP World has entered a partnership with global commerce platform PayPal to launch a digital payments initiative aimed at simplifying and accelerating cross-border trade.

The collaboration seeks to cut settlement times from several days to just minutes. The initiative is intended to offer international merchants, shippers, exporters, importers, and marketplaces faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient payment solutions, strengthening DP World’s efforts to build a secure and scalable marketplace for digital transactions.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman and CEO, said the initiative underscores the importance of speed and transparency in logistics and payments. He noted that the partnership with PayPal will give businesses more reliable options for cross-border payments without compromising security, enabling them to operate more efficiently across markets.

“These partnerships allow us to bring trusted, digital-first solutions to global commerce, helping businesses and individuals trade more efficiently,” the chairman added.

Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, said the partnership aims to set a new standard in global trade by addressing the limitations of traditional cross-border payment systems. He highlighted the role of the Middle East as a growing hub for digital innovation and emphasized PayPal’s commitment to building more connected and inclusive financial services.

By integrating DP World’s global supply chain expertise with PayPal’s payments infrastructure, the initiative is designed to reduce friction in international transactions and provide businesses with greater efficiency and confidence.

According to DP World, its Digital Payments Initiative will leverage technologies such as distributed ledgers and stablecoin-based solutions in cooperation with licensed payment providers. 

While DP World will not directly offer regulated payment services, it will work with an ecosystem of partners to deliver compliant, technology-driven solutions aligned with applicable regulatory frameworks.