PayPal withdraws user protection for NFT transactions

NFT sellers face new risks with PayPal’s updated terms.

PayPal has recently updated its user protection policy, specifically excluding NFT transactions from its purchase protection program.

Starting May 20, 2024, buyers and sellers of NFTs will no longer benefit from the purchase protection program previously offered by PayPal, a change quietly implemented through an update to the company’s terms of service.

According to the latest update, PayPal will no longer include transactions involving NFTs in its Seller Protection Program if the transaction amount exceeds $10,000. This policy shift particularly exposes sellers to significant financial losses, as PayPal will not cover any counterfeiting, refund, or fraud risks exceeding $10,000 in NFT sales.

Additionally, PayPal notes that transactions of $10,000.00 or below will continue to be covered by PayPal’s Seller Protection Program unless it is claimed by the buyer to be an “unauthorized transaction,” and as long as all other eligibility requirements for the protection are met.

The decision to roll back protection for NFT transactions follows an initial announcement on March 21, where PayPal indicated a move away from safeguarding certain NFT-related activities, a plan that has now been fully realized.

Previously, PayPal’s protection for NFT transactions offered a degree of security for both buyers and sellers. For instance, if a buyer received an NFT that did not match the advertised description, they could claim a refund. Sellers were also protected from payment discrepancies and fraudulent refund claims. This change marks a significant shift in the company’s stance towards NFT transactions.

PayPal’s move comes despite its ongoing engagement with the crypto sector. The company has filed numerous patents related to blockchain and NFTs. Recently, PayPal’s US branch introduced a new feature allowing international payments using the stablecoin PYUSD.