Users link multiple payment methods—such as debit cards, credit cards, or bank accounts—to a single PayPal account.

PayPal operates as a digital wallet and a multi-layered payment intermediary that facilitates secure transactions between consumers and merchants without exposing sensitive financial data. 1. The Core Ecosystem

When checking out, you use your PayPal credentials (email/password) instead of entering full card numbers on every site, which keeps your financial details private from the merchant.

PayPal functions as a "middleman" between your financial institutions (banks, credit cards) and the seller.

The process of an online purchase follows a rapid six-step lifecycle: How Online Payment Processing Works | PayPal US

Payments can be funded by an existing PayPal balance, a direct bank transfer, or linked cards. 2. The Transaction Lifecycle

How PayPal Works for Online Purchases: A Technical & Functional Overview