March 3rd, 2026 | 07:30 CET
PayPal, Aspermont, Palantir: Three digital business models that are being further optimized through AI
The era of simple digitization is history. What separates companies today from tomorrow is no longer a question of software implementation, but one of fundamental value creation architecture. Artificial intelligence has evolved from an efficiency tool to the operating system of entire business models, with a consequence that is becoming apparent for the first time in the current quarterly figures: those who fail to rethink their scaling strategy are not only giving away growth, but also risking their very existence. We take a look at how PayPal, Aspermont, and Palantir have aligned their digital business models with AI.
time to read: 5 minutes
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Author:
Armin Schulz
ISIN:
PAYPAL HDGS INC.DL-_0001 | US70450Y1038 , ASPERMONT LTD | AU000000ASP3 | ASX: ASP , PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC | US69608A1088
Table of contents:
Author
Armin Schulz
Born in Mönchengladbach, he studied business administration in the Netherlands. In the course of his studies he came into contact with the stock exchange for the first time. He has more than 25 years of experience in stock market business.
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PayPal – From payment service to digital companion
The integration of artificial intelligence is currently at the heart of PayPal's strategic realignment. The company is leveraging its sheer size, around 400 million users and 35 million merchants, as a foundation for intelligent services. Central to this is the Transaction Graph, which anonymously analyzes transactions to detect purchasing patterns. This forms the basis for initial advertising products that enable merchants to run targeted campaigns. The partnership with Microsoft is particularly far-reaching. With "Copilot Checkout," users can shop and pay directly in the AI chat. This is a real step toward the future, with PayPal acting as an invisible payment infrastructure in the background.
Despite this progress, the operating business remains tense. The high-margin branded checkout segment, long the group's cash cow, recently recorded only minimal growth of 1%. The full-year forecast for 2026 is correspondingly subdued. Instead of the hoped-for profit growth, management expects stagnation. Analysts attribute this to declining consumer sentiment, intensified competition from Apple Pay and Google Pay, and operational implementation difficulties. In addition, risks in the credit business, especially in "buy now, pay later," have increased, which is reflected in higher credit defaults and weighs on the balance sheet.
Against this backdrop, takeover rumors are gaining traction. According to media reports, competitor Stripe has signaled interest in acquiring parts or all of the company. However, Stripe has denied this. Such scenarios underscore the value of the platform, especially Venmo, which, with 100 million users, occupies a unique position as a social network with payment functionality. At the same time, a change in leadership is taking place. The new CEO, Enrique Lores, comes from the technology sector and is expected to accelerate the transformation. For investors, PayPal therefore remains a double-edged sword. The stock is currently trading at USD 46.21.
Aspermont – From specialist publisher to data-driven commodities specialist
If you look closely, you will sometimes discover the most exciting stories in niche markets. Aspermont is one such case. The company has established itself over decades as a specialist information provider for mining and commodities, and is currently undergoing a profound transformation. It is no longer just about trade magazines or events. Its real asset is a unique treasure trove of data. Archives that have grown over decades, combined with current reports from more than 150 journalists and analysts, result in a knowledge base that no one else can build up so quickly. The company is now making this resource available for digital applications.
Unstructured archives are being converted into machine-readable data, enabling entirely new offerings. Artificial intelligence plays the role of a tool, not a silver bullet. Self-learning algorithms and semantic search engines make historical holdings searchable, down to nuances such as the evolution of technical terms over 190 years. The result is intelligent assistants that make connections in seconds for geologists or investors that previously required time-consuming research. In addition, multilingual content is opening up new markets. Only a quarter of the world's population speaks English, and AI-supported translation opens the door to a massively expanded user base. The first major customer from the mining industry has already validated this data platform with orders.
Parallel to technological change, the company is setting the course for a more efficient capital market presence. The planned 250:1 reverse stock split is more than just a technical measure. It will take the stock out of penny stock territory and make it more attractive to institutional investors. With a calculated price of around AUD 2, perception will improve, trading quality will increase, and volatility could decrease. Management is pursuing a clear strategic path with a growing subscription business combined with scalable digital products. The operational implementation is showing initial success. This view is shared by analysts at GBC Research, who have issued a price target of AUD 0.03. The share is currently trading at just AUD 0.008.
Palantir – Between explosive growth and valuation debate
Palantir presented figures at the start of 2026 that are unparalleled in the software industry. Revenue jumped 70% to USD 1.41 billion in the fourth quarter, driven by commercial US business, which grew by 137%. The operating margin reached an impressive 57%, demonstrating how efficiently the business model scales. The AIP artificial intelligence platform is proving to be a decisive lever in this regard. Companies are increasingly using it to tap into complex data landscapes and radically accelerate workflows. The number of large orders over USD 10 million has multiplied, and contract values have risen by 138%.
Behind the figures is a fundamental shift in customer demand. Palantir's technology optimizes digital business processes in a way that makes conventional software solutions look outdated. A construction company replaced several third-party providers with the Foundry platform, while an energy provider expanded its commitment from USD 7 million to USD 31 million. The integration of AI agents and the workflow builder enables automations that used to take months. The benefits are even more dramatic in the defense sector. During operation "Epic Fury" in Iran, Palantir's ontology technology orchestrated satellite data and reconnaissance information in real time, proving its military effectiveness.
Despite strong fundamentals, the stock has dropped about 35% since November; the P/E ratio declined accordingly but remains elevated. Analysts are increasingly optimistic. UBS and Citi upgraded the stock to "Buy" after the setback, pointing to the attractive risk/reward ratio. However, skepticism remains, with the average price target around USD 190. It remains difficult for investors. On the one hand, it is arguably the most exciting growth company in the AI sector, but on the other hand, valuations continue to appear exorbitant.
The stock is currently trading at USD 137.19.
PayPal is transforming itself from a payment service to an AI-powered commerce companion, but is struggling with stagnation in its high-margin core business. Aspermont demonstrates how a traditional specialist publisher can transform itself into a data-driven commodities specialist by tapping into its historical data treasures with the help of AI. Palantir, on the other hand, is showing breathtaking explosive growth with its AI platform AIP, but remains a highly valued momentum investment. Three digital business models demonstrating that AI is no longer just an efficiency tool - it is the new operating system for value creation.
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