How EBay Plans to Quickly Improve on PayPal's Bottom Line

iv id="body">As part of the deal, eBay will also purchase up to
Recently eBay announced plans to buy VeriSign's1 million VeriSign security tokens. Each token has
payment processing business for $370 million andconstantly changing numbers that need to coincide
merge the processor with PayPal's operations.with a synchronized central server. These tokens
PayPal is already the largest online paymentcan be embedded in computers and other devices
company; however, VeriSign's processor wouldthat along with a password, create a two-factor
make for a profitable asset, by enabling PayPal toauthentication system.
compete with credit card companies known forSecurity has always been a costly issue for
raising retailer fees. The merge will also help takePayPal as they require a large team to deal with
PayPal beyond its core auction-based business tofraud.
now tackle small and medium-sized businesses.This merger is a huge step forward for PayPal.
VeriSign's payment gateway software creates aThis shift will allow PayPal to process a greater
direct connection between web businesses andnumber of transactions through banks rather than
payment processors. These processors arecredit cards and work with more businesses than
generally run by major banks, therefore cuttingindividual sellers. This in turn will lead to less credit
out the credit card business. The addition iscard fees and potentially a lesser percentage of
expected to add $100 million to PayPal's top line infraudulent sellers by working with registered
2006.business owners.