Fintech Insider Podcast by 11:FS

1023.News: How Airwallex became an $8 billion fintech giant as US funding falls

Dec 15, 2025
Guest
Thierry Coopman
Guest
Ruth Foxe Blader
Ruth Foxe Blader, a managing partner at Fox Capital with a focus on early-stage fintech, and Thierry Coopman, Partnerships and Payments Lead at Formance, share their insights on the evolving world of fintech. They discuss Airwallex's impressive $330 million funding and its ambitious plans for US expansion. The conversation shifts to the launch of Abu Dhabi's fintech center aimed at digital assets and how the US funding landscape appears to be slowing. They also playfully explore their 'fintech ages,' showcasing tech familiarity in a rapidly changing industry.
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INSIGHT

Private Markets Keep Big Fintechs Private Longer

  • Late-stage companies now stay private longer and raise bigger private rounds like Series G.
  • Private liquidity and valuation gaps versus public markets drive extended fundraising cycles.
INSIGHT

Global Operations Are A Competitive Moat

  • Airwallex's global operational reach answers demand for cross-border business payments.
  • Competition is intense, but operational global scale and price can win SMB and ops-focused customers.
INSIGHT

Regulatory Infrastructure Lures Digital Asset Capital

  • Abu Dhabi's FIDA cluster targets digital assets, insurance and alternative assets to attract capital and jobs.
  • Regulatory clarity and institutional-grade infrastructure are central to luring firms and talent.
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