Stripe and Advent International have submitted a $53 billion joint bid to acquire PayPal.
Stripe and Advent International have proposed a $53 billion acquisition of PayPal, a move that would combine one of the world's largest merchant payment networks with a leading consumer wallet business. The offer, which values PayPal at approximately $60.50 per share, represents a 30% premium over the company's closing price in early July. While the deal offers a significant premium, PayPal's board currently views the offer as undervaluing the company. The company is currently undergoing a turnaround under new leadership, making a sale less attractive for the business itself, though it remains a viable option for impatient shareholders. The acquisition would allow Stripe to control more of the transaction lifecycle, reducing its reliance on intermediaries like Visa or Mastercard. By integrating PayPal’s 439 million active accounts, Stripe can expand its reach beyond merchant processing into a broader consumer ecosystem. Analysts suggest the deal is a strategic move to own distribution in the next generation of global payment infrastructure, where stablecoins are becoming a core component of mainstream finance.