Alex Chriss served as CEO of PayPal Holdings from February 2024 until February 3, 2026, when the board terminated his role on the same day as the Q4 2025 earnings release. The board stated his removal was “based on execution” — specifically the pace of change over his two-year tenure. CFO Jamie Miller noted the change was “based on execution.”
Chriss was the architect of the branded checkout growth narrative that underpinned the now-withdrawn 2027 guidance: 8–10% TPV growth for PayPal Branded Checkout, high single-digit transaction margin growth, and 20%+ non-GAAP EPS growth by 2027. During his tenure he launched Fastlane (January 2024), expanded the Adyen Fastlane partnership (August 2024), and delivered strong results in Venmo and BNPL while PayPal Branded Checkout decelerated. His February 2024 Investor Day presentation — “from a position of strength” — is cited in the PayPal Securities Class Action 2026 as evidence of alleged misrepresentation.
Chriss also quoted at Q4 2024 earnings (February 2025): “The strong momentum we’ve created sets us up well for 2025, which is about scaling adoption.” By Q4 2025, branded checkout had grown just 1%. The gap between these statements and the disclosed reality formed the basis of the securities fraud allegations.
Ontology
Alex Chriss FORMERLY_LED PayPal Holdings Alex Chriss NAMED_IN PayPal Securities Class Action 2026 Alex Chriss SUCCEEDED_BY Enrique Lores
Connections
- PayPal Holdings — employer; CEO Feb 2024–Feb 2026
- PayPal Branded Checkout — primary focus of his strategic mandate
- Fastlane — product he launched in January 2024
- PayPal Securities Class Action 2026 — named defendant
- Enrique Lores — successor
- Jamie Miller — CFO who bridged the transition