Finance

Tencent-backed fintech Airwallex to invest in the Netherlands

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 5, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Tencent-backed fintech Airwallex to invest in the Netherlands
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Jan 5 - Australian payment firm Airwallex said on Monday it will invest around 200 million euros ($233.64 million) over the next five years in its Netherlands operations, marking a major European

Airwallex to Invest €200M in Netherlands Expansion

Jan 5 - Australian payment firm Airwallex said on Monday it will invest around 200 million euros ($233.64 million) over the next five years in its Netherlands operations, marking a major European expansion as it shifts from its Asia-Pacific base.

The Melbourne-founded fintech plans to increase its Amsterdam headcount by 60% to around 70 full-time employees by the end of 2026.

Airwallex operates a global payments platform that enables businesses to send and receive international payments, hold multi-currency accounts and process online transactions.

Founded in 2015, Airwallex secured a $13 million Series A round led by Chinese internet giant Tencent in 2017. The company recently raised $330 million in a Series G round, bringing its valuation to over $6 billion, and surpassed $1 billion in annual recurring revenue.

The investment comes as Airwallex says it will prioritise growth in Europe and the Americas after a decade focused on Australia and Asia-Pacific markets. The company received a licence in the Netherlands in May 2021, giving it access to the European Economic Area.

Airwallex served more than 150,000 customers as of October 2025, including Shein, Bolt, TikTok and Canva. The company now competes with established European payment processors including Netherlands-based Adyen and Mollie, as well as Dutch digital bank Bunq.

($1 = 0.8560 euros)

(Reporting by Leo Marchandon in Gdansk Editing by Louise Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • Airwallex plans €200M investment in the Netherlands.
  • The company aims to increase Amsterdam staff by 60%.
  • Airwallex focuses on European and American markets.
  • The fintech secured a Netherlands license in 2021.
  • Airwallex competes with Adyen, Mollie, and Bunq.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Airwallex?
Airwallex is an Australian payment firm that provides a global payments platform, allowing businesses to send and receive international payments, hold multi-currency accounts, and process online transactions.
What is a multi-currency account?
A multi-currency account allows businesses to hold, manage, and transact in multiple currencies within a single account, facilitating international trade and reducing foreign exchange costs.
What is a Series A funding round?
A Series A funding round is the first significant round of investment in a startup, typically used to scale the business after initial seed funding, often involving venture capital firms.
What is a valuation in finance?
A valuation in finance is the process of determining the current worth of an asset or company, often used to assess investment opportunities or during mergers and acquisitions.

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