Reuters reported that Tencent backed fintech company Airwallex plans to invest about €200 million in the Netherlands over the next five years, strengthening its presence in Europe and deepening its operational base in Amsterdam. The move shows how the company is shifting from a primarily Asia Pacific growth story toward a more balanced global footprint.

For fintech founders, this decision is a useful case study in combining regulatory positioning, local presence, and international scale.

Building a Stronger European Hub

According to Reuters, the investment will support Airwallex’s Amsterdam operations and its broader European Economic Area activities. The company also plans to increase its local workforce by roughly 60 percent, bringing the Amsterdam team to around 70 full time employees by the end of 2026.

The Netherlands is a practical choice for a European hub. Amsterdam is a financial and technology centre within the EEA, and a local team helps align operations with regulators while improving proximity to clients in multiple markets.

Airwallex obtained a financial licence in the Netherlands in 2021, enabling it to provide services across the EEA. The upcoming investment builds on that foundation rather than treating Europe as a remote satellite market.

From Rapid Growth to Global Presence

Airwallex was founded in 2015 in Melbourne and has grown through a series of major funding rounds, including early backing from Tencent. Reuters reported that the company has passed $1 billion in annual recurring revenue and has been valued at more than $6 billion following recent investment activity.

Its platform supports over 150,000 business customers who use its services for international payments, multi currency accounts, and cross border financial operations. Airwallex is increasingly positioning itself as an infrastructure partner for globally scaling digital businesses.

Expanding in Europe also places the firm alongside established competitors such as Adyen, Mollie, and Bunq. These players have strong regional roots, while Airwallex brings a globally oriented infrastructure approach that appeals to companies operating across continents.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here are a few practical lessons fintech leaders can draw from Airwallex’s Netherlands strategy:

• Local regulatory presence can be a growth asset rather than a constraint.
  
  
• Hiring within strategic regions strengthens credibility with both clients and supervisors.
  
  
• Global platforms scale more effectively when operations are supported by grounded regional teams.

Airwallex’s investment illustrates how international expansion benefits from a clear regulatory base, a measured talent strategy, and a long term operational commitment rather than a purely commercial footprint.

If you are planning to scale your fintech into new regions or strengthen your go to market approach in Europe, contact Your Fintech Story. We help founders shape expansion strategies, refine positioning, and grow with confidence.