PayPal is no longer a viable payment option for many Steam users after announcing that it will only process transactions in EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD, and USD. This decision removes PayPal support for dozens of other currencies, impacting millions of players worldwide and forcing them to seek alternative payment methods.
The change comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding Steam’s payment processors, with recent allegations that companies like MasterCard and PayPal pressured the platform into removing NSFW titles, including games that were not in violation of any laws. While MasterCard has been the main focus of these claims, PayPal has also faced criticism from the gaming community.
Limited Currency Support Hits Global Players
According to Steam’s updated payment guidance, players in countries with non-Euro currencies in Europe can still complete purchases if they choose to pay in Euro. However, users in other affected regions have fewer options available, with Steam recommending alternatives such as local payment processors or Steam Wallet codes.
Neither Valve nor PayPal has provided a detailed explanation for the move. The only statement shared so far is that PayPal’s bank will no longer process payments for Steam in certain currencies. While this may be a banking policy change rather than a direct decision from PayPal itself, the result is the same — millions of users are cut off from using the popular payment method.
Possible Replacements and User Backlash
Steam has stated it will look into adding more payment options in the future, but no official timeline has been provided. In the meantime, affected users are left with limited choices, particularly in regions where PayPal was the most convenient or secure method of payment.
This has sparked renewed frustration among players, although it may not reach the same level of backlash seen during the platform’s recent mass removal of adult and niche titles. Still, the change underscores how payment processor decisions can directly impact accessibility and purchasing freedom for millions of gamers.
Impact on Key Regions
The effect is particularly severe in countries where PayPal was still operational and widely used. For example, Brazil alone has nearly five million Steam users, none of whom can now use PayPal for purchases. Regions such as Turkey and Russia had already lost access to PayPal in previous years, but the latest restrictions extend the limitation to a much wider audience.
Whether Valve will move quickly to introduce new localized payment solutions remains to be seen. Until then, affected users will have to adapt to the remaining payment methods or rely on Steam Wallet codes to continue making purchases on the platform.
