Payments M&A Outlook Through 2023

The bumpy macroeconomic conditions in the past few months have caused valuations to compress across every industry. With uncertain times ahead, it is important to understand how macroeconomic trends affect the payments space. Although intuitively one might start to save money during these times to protect their downside, in the payments space quite the opposite is occurring.

With increased competition between larger payment processors and startup technology companies like Stripe, there has been increased pressure for acquisitions by the larger players. With payment processing volume being “stolen,” by growing technology startups with advanced intellectual property, larger processors are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Some are navigating this time by hiring in-house software developers to develop “intelligent payments processing,” while others have turned to investment banks to advise them on possible M&A targets within the payments space.

733Park has previously covered transactions JP Morgan’s acquisition of Renovite, which is an example of the M&A activity in the payments space. With interest rates rising, there has been a significant slowdown in the level of economic activity. Fewer consumer transactions mean less merchant revenue for global payment processors. However, since the payments industry exhibits mostly inelastic demand for the software, exceptionally low churn rates are seen. One can expect to see 2-3% churn rates overall for business-to-business SaaS companies within the payments space. As such, payment revenue, although slowing down, will not cause a complete collapse in sales. This decrease in revenue combined with rising interest rates leads to overall multiple contraction and thus increased buy-side activity.

With cheaper companies, overall larger payment processors are looking to capitalize and double down on technology. Larger companies that have had the chance to grow their cash position over time, have the advantage to buy some of these smaller companies that might be struggling with sales growth stalling and financing costs rising. Larger companies will allow management teams and employees to continue working on products that increase payment processing efficiency. Moreover, with venture capital drying up, finding a partner for growth is become harder, and thus, being integrated with traditional processing companies might also offer a chance for these smaller companies to live on.

Another possible outcome of the macroeconomic environment is the increased deployment of private equity and other such capital partners. Private equity is the process of buying out companies using debt and providing companies with advice while in the portfolio of the larger fund. This industry has seen an increased amount of capital in recent years as this alternative asset class has benefitted from multiple increases over the past decade. The investment thesis for many of these firms revolves around buying high cash flow generating business without much cyclicality. Moreover, for earlier stages of investing within the space, there has been an increased amount of capital deployed with companies that are close to generating some form of cash flow. Although rates have risen, and private equity is reliant on interest rates, firms are driven by multiple expansions over time by adding value. This tends to drive more returns over the 5–7-year hold period. As a result, with the multiple contraction in the past few months, private equity investors might look at the payments industry as they fit into many of the portfolios of these funds. Payments tend to be anti-cyclical with stable cash flow generation. Especially with technology implementation within the space, margins are significantly higher than in traditional payments companies. With strategies such as M&A roll-ups or tuck-ins, these funds hope to create larger technology conglomerates which they would ideally sell to larger players or take public after the holding period.

The past few months have been interesting for a few reasons. Inflation, rising interest rates, and multiple contraction have caused markets to react negatively. Although times are uncertain and there have been significant buying opportunities for larger payment processors.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Copy of Bilt Rewards Acquires Banyan to Enhance Loyalty Program

By Lane Gordon • April 30, 2025

In a strategic move announced on March 13, 2025, Bilt Rewards, a leading payments and commerce platform, acquired Banyan, a prominent provider of item-level receipt data solutions. This acquisition marks Bilt's inaugural venture into mergers and acquisitions, signaling a significant expansion of its capabilities in the fintech and loyalty rewards sectors. Overview of Bilt Rewards Founded in 2022, Bilt Rewards has rapidly established itself as a transformative force in the housing payments market. By converting rent and mortgage payments into valuable rewards, Bilt offers residents a unique opportunity to earn points on their largest monthly expense. These points can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, including travel, fitness classes, and even contributions toward a future home purchase. As of August 2024, Bilt was valued at $3.25 billion following a $150 million capital injection led by Teachers’ Venture Growth. Introduction to Banyan Banyan, founded in 2019 and based in Holmdel, New Jersey, specializes in providing item-level receipt data, offering unprecedented insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The company's technology has processed over $200 billion in gross merchandise value and analyzed more than 20 billion receipts. This extensive data repository enables merchants to create targeted, relevant, and valuable customer experiences. Strategic Rationale Behind the Acquisition The acquisition of Banyan aligns with Bilt Rewards' mission to enhance neighborhood commerce by leveraging detailed transaction data. By integrating Banyan's item-level receipt data into its platform, Bilt aims to offer more personalized rewards and automated benefits to its users, thereby fostering stronger connections between residents and local merchants. Key Benefits and Innovations Enhanced Personalization: With access to granular purchase data, Bilt can tailor rewards based on users' specific buying habits, enhancing the overall customer experience. Automated FSA/HSA Savings: Expanding upon its existing Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) programs, Bilt will automatically identify eligible purchases and file for reimbursements, potentially saving members up to 40% on qualifying items without any additional effort. New Resident Welcome Experiences: Neighborhood merchants can offer personalized rewards on home essentials when Bilt members move into a new area, helping establish shopping routines that benefit local businesses. Brand-Powered Rewards: Consumer packaged goods companies can provide targeted rewards when residents purchase specific products at neighborhood merchants, creating mutually beneficial scenarios for brands, local businesses, and residents. Cross-Merchant Experiences: Banyan's data enables the creation of seamless experiences across merchants, such as complimentary rides to neighborhood restaurants triggered by specific food purchases, or validated parking at local retail based on purchase categories and amounts. Expansion into New Merchant Categories The acquisition accelerates Bilt's expansion into new merchant categories beyond dining, fitness, and pharmacy to include grocery, gas, parking, and more. This comprehensive neighborhood commerce network allows partner merchants to gain unprecedented visibility into neighborhood spending patterns and reach residents with precisely targeted offers, potentially achieving returns on investment that are 20 to 60 times the industry average. Leadership and Operational Structure Post-Acquisition Following the acquisition, Banyan will continue to operate independently under the leadership of its CEO, Jehan Luth. The company will collaborate closely with Bilt to enhance the neighborhood commerce ecosystem, maintaining existing client relationships and services while expanding its capabilities through Bilt's network. Industry Implications This acquisition underscores a broader trend in the fintech and loyalty program sectors, where companies are increasingly leveraging data analytics to enhance customer engagement and drive business growth. By harnessing detailed transaction data, Bilt Rewards is positioned to deliver a more engaging and rewarding experience for its users, setting a precedent for other companies in the industry to consider similar strategic moves. Conclusion The acquisition of Banyan by Bilt Rewards represents a significant advancement in the fintech and loyalty program industries. By integrating item-level receipt data, Bilt can offer more personalized rewards and automated benefits, enhancing the overall customer experience. This strategic move not only benefits Bilt's users but also sets a precedent for other companies in the industry to consider similar data-driven strategies to drive innovation and growth. About 733Park At 733Park, we specialize in facilitating strategic acquisitions in the fintech sector, connecting visionary companies to drive innovation and growth. Our expertise in payments, fintech, and SaaS mergers and acquisitions positions us to guide both buyers and sellers through complex transactions. If you're a founder seeking to maximize your company's value or an investor looking for strategic opportunities, let's connect to explore how we can achieve your objectives together. #Fintech #MergersAndAcquisitions #LoyaltyPrograms #DataIntegration #733Park

A man in a suit is shaking hands with another man in a suit.

Bilt Rewards Acquires Banyan to Enhance Loyalty Program

By Lane • March 20, 2025

733Park is an M&A firm specializing in payments, fintech and SaaS mergers and acquisitions, deal sourcing, merchant portfolios, ISO and advisory services.

A man with a beard is using a tablet computer in the city at night.

MoonPay acquires Iron (Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure)

By Lane • March 20, 2025

MoonPay , the prominent Miami-based crypto payment fintech, announced its acquisition of Iron , a cutting-edge German startup specializing in stablecoin payment infrastructure. This marks MoonPay's second significant acquisition of the year, following its earlier purchase of Helio for $175 million. The strategic acquisition solidifies MoonPay’s position as a formidable player in the global fintech space, especially in the growing niche of stablecoin-based payment solutions. MoonPay’s Vision for a Crypto-Enabled Future Founded in 2019 and led by visionary CEO Ivan Soto-Wright, MoonPay rapidly ascended the fintech ranks with its intuitive platform enabling seamless crypto transactions. Currently supporting over 170 cryptocurrencies across more than 180 countries, MoonPay is recognized for simplifying digital asset transactions, significantly lowering barriers for enterprises and retail customers alike. MoonPay’s acquisition strategy clearly highlights its objective of expanding into comprehensive, enterprise-level crypto payment solutions. The purchase of Iron, a company established only in 2024, underscores MoonPay's swift response to emerging fintech trends, particularly the surging demand for stablecoin infrastructure within payment ecosystems. Iron: Revolutionizing Stablecoin Payments Iron entered the fintech scene with the promise of delivering stablecoin payment solutions through highly adaptable APIs. The German startup quickly gained traction by enabling fintech firms, marketplaces, and merchants to seamlessly integrate stablecoin payment capabilities directly into their platforms. Iron's robust API solutions enable clients to embed stablecoin payments, open virtual stablecoin accounts, and manage multi-currency treasuries efficiently. The primary attraction of Iron’s technology lies in its simplicity, scalability, and instantaneous payment processing capability. By harnessing stablecoin technology, Iron empowers businesses to conduct instant cross-border transactions, sidestep costly traditional banking intermediaries, and simplify international treasury management. Strategic Synergies of the Acquisition The strategic rationale behind MoonPay’s acquisition of Iron is multifaceted. Most significantly, it positions MoonPay to capitalize on two critical fintech market shifts: 1. Rapid Adoption of StablecoinsStablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like fiat currencies, offer the benefits of crypto (speed, security, transparency) without the volatility that hampers mainstream adoption. Businesses globally are increasingly adopting stablecoin infrastructure to enable frictionless, instantaneous, and affordable transactions, making Iron's API-driven solutions extremely attractive. 2. Enterprise-Level Crypto Payment SolutionsWith Iron’s technology integrated, MoonPay can now offer enterprises more robust treasury management and broader payment solutions. By bridging the gap between traditional finance and crypto payments, MoonPay further entrenches itself as a market leader, enabling large fintech organizations and international merchants to efficiently navigate global markets. MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright highlighted the impact of this acquisition, stating, “With Iron’s technology, we’re putting programmable payments into enterprises' hands, marking a significant leap toward modernizing global finance through crypto infrastructure.” Real-World Benefits for Businesses MoonPay's expanded capabilities through Iron’s acquisition mean tangible, real-world benefits for global businesses, including: Instant Transactions: Iron’s stablecoin infrastructure enables instantaneous settlement, significantly improving cash flow management for businesses operating internationally. Reduced Costs: Businesses can bypass traditional banking intermediaries and substantially reduce transaction fees, offering better margins and competitive pricing. Enhanced Security and Transparency: Blockchain-based stablecoin transactions ensure transparent, secure, and tamper-proof payment records, increasing trust and reducing fraud. Simplified Treasury Management: Iron's technology helps businesses effortlessly manage multi-currency treasuries, allowing them to efficiently allocate and transfer resources across global operations. Market Implications: The Shift Towards Stablecoins MoonPay’s acquisition of Iron signals an industry-wide shift towards stablecoin adoption within fintech. The integration of crypto payment infrastructure is no longer a niche or experimental option—it’s quickly becoming standard practice for global fintech operations. At 733Park , we’ve closely monitored fintech evolution, recognizing stablecoin payment infrastructure as the logical progression in financial technology. Companies capable of facilitating reliable, cost-effective cross-border transactions using stablecoins are likely to dominate future fintech ecosystems. MoonPay’s move demonstrates proactive alignment with this emerging reality. 733Park Insights: M&A Trends in Fintech and Crypto As a specialized M&A advisor focused on fintech, SaaS, AI, and payments, 733Park routinely identifies and facilitates transformative acquisitions like MoonPay’s purchase of Iron. We've observed increasing consolidation in crypto-related fintech as industry leaders seek to swiftly integrate innovative technology rather than develop solutions in-house. This acquisition exemplifies a broader trend: established fintech players rapidly expanding through strategic M&A to strengthen their competitive advantage and rapidly adapt to market shifts. At 733Park, we frequently advise clients—ranging from ambitious startups to seasoned private equity groups—on effectively navigating these dynamic landscapes, either via strategic exits or through acquisition-led growth. As our witty team at 733Park often says, “Stablecoins are becoming fintech’s most reliable currency—literally.” And in the realm of fintech M&A, reliability and swift adaptation define success. Conclusion: Paving the Way Forward MoonPay’s acquisition of Iron represents more than just a strategic business decision; it’s indicative of the broader trajectory within fintech toward comprehensive crypto integration. By proactively enhancing its stablecoin capabilities, MoonPay positions itself at the forefront of fintech innovation, offering robust solutions that meet evolving global demands. This acquisition not only bolsters MoonPay’s service suite but also serves as a valuable blueprint for fintech companies looking to capitalize on emerging trends. Businesses and investors alike should closely watch this space, as stablecoin payment solutions rapidly transition from innovation to necessity. At 733Park, we're enthusiastic about the potential of stablecoins and crypto infrastructure to fundamentally reshape fintech. With deals like MoonPay’s acquisition of Iron, the future is certainly stable—and exciting. For inquiries about strategic M&A initiatives, especially within fintech, payments, SaaS, and AI, contact our expert team at 733Park. #Fintech #CryptoPayments #Stablecoins #MergersAndAcquisitions #733Park