Airwallex opens European headquarters in Amsterdam
Australian company brings its innovative global payments and banking services to Amsterdam’s thriving fintech ecosystem.
Global fintech innovator chooses Amsterdam for European business
Airwallex, a global fintech company, has opened its European headquarters in Amsterdam. This headquarters, its 19th office and third in Europe, presents a strategic location for European business and joins an already thriving financial services sector in the Dutch capital. The move comes after the company secured its electronic money institution (EMI) licence from the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank, DNB) last year, in order to access the European single market.
A leading platform for financial services
Airwallex is a leading global payments platform, providing products and services aimed at streamlining financial operations such as FX, card issuing and online payments for a variety of businesses. Since being established in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex has received over US $800 million in investment, is now valued at US $5.5 billion and has established 19 offices in 11 countries. They recently made the Fintech Power 50, a list of the most innovative companies in the industry, chosen out of over 1,200 nominations.
The presents a number of strategic advantages for the company. “Opening an office in Amsterdam was an easy decision for us,” explains Vivien Cheung, Director of Strategic Partnerships, EMEA at Airwallex. “We knew we wanted a blend of a forward-thinking regulator, a cohort of equivalent companies and access to an impressive talent pool, specifically in payments and technology. Not to mention, Amsterdam’s proximity and great gateway access to Europe for international businesses.”
Amsterdam’s thriving hub for fintech talent and innovation
Airwallex are not alone in setting up shop in the Dutch capital. Amsterdam’s booming tech sector has continued to attract new companies and businesses even through the relative uncertainty of recent months. North American fintech companies Trovata and Buckzy established European offices in the city in June, with Buckzy president and CEO Abdul Naushad describing Amsterdam as “one of the world’s oldest and most respected banking and finance hubs.” Airwallex provides additional confidence for the industry after a record-breaking year of startup funding and during a year when Amsterdam once again hosted Money 20/20, bringing together the global fintech community.
