techcrunch.com
Apr 18, 2026
Once close enough for an acquisition, Stripe and Airwallex are now going after each other
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Airwallex founder Jack Zhang was once offered $1.2 billion by Stripe to sell his company, but he declined, driven by his vision to build global financial infrastructure. The decision has proven prescient, with Airwallex now claiming $1.3 billion in annualized revenue and 85% year-over-year growth. Zhang's conviction stems from his personal experiences and entrepreneurial dreams. Airwallex processes nearly $300 billion in annualized transactions, solidifying its position.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Airwallex's rejection of Stripe's $1.2B offer and its subsequent growth to $1.3B in annualised revenue signals that Stripe now faces a well-capitalised rival in cross-border payments — a segment it once had a clear path to consolidate.