Users in various regions have recently encountered obstacles on the popular gaming platform Steam, as PayPal has restricted payment processing for certain currencies. Valve, the company behind Steam, attributes the change to PayPal's acquiring bank, which, as of early July 2025, stopped processing these transactions.
This limitation does not affect all currencies, preserving the availability of PayPal for transactions in major currencies such as EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD, and USD. However, all other currencies now require users to explore alternative payment methods.
Seeking Solutions
In response, Valve has updated its checkout information to explain the situation and reassure users that it is investigating additional payment methods to accommodate the affected currencies. While the company aspires to reinstate PayPal for these currencies in the future, it acknowledges the timeline for these changes remains indefinite.
For now, Valve recommends using other payment options available at the checkout or utilizing Steam Wallet codes and gift cards. The range of alternatives varies by region and may include standard credit and debit cards, bank transfers, or other local solutions.
Understanding the Impact
There is currently no direct connection between these payment issues and recent changes in Steam's content policies or the removal of certain games influenced by payment processor demands. Instead, the root cause appears to be the decision by PayPal's acquiring bank to discontinue processing transactions in specific currencies.
Furthermore, some affected users have adapted by employing regional alternatives. These include local payment services and prepaid codes, providing viable stopgaps in the interim.
As the global digital landscape continues to evolve, the valve is actively pursuing long-term solutions to ensure seamless transactions for all users, irrespective of regional limitations, fostering an inclusive and accessible marketplace.
