Crypto payment company MoonPay has made headlines with its acquisition of the fintech startup Meso, a deal unveiled on September 15, 2025. This latest acquisition marks a significant milestone for MoonPay, as it is the fourth such deal the company has embarked upon this year, reinforcing its vision of constructing what it describes as the world’s largest global payments network.
The integration of Meso will see two seasoned executives from the world of digital payments join MoonPay’s leadership team. Ali Aghareza, who played a key role in developing the original Braintree platform atPayPal, steps in as MoonPay’s new Chief Technology Officer. Joining him is Ben Mills, formerly the head of product at Venmo, who takes on the role of Senior Vice President of Product. Both executives bring extensive experience that will be pivotal in enhancing MoonPay’s offerings.
Although MoonPay did not disclose the financial specifics of the Meso acquisition, the company has carved out a niche in facilitating the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies through traditional payment methods, including credit cards and bank transfers.
Meso has been critical in bridging traditional banking systems with cryptocurrency networks. Founded in 2022, it has assisted other fintech firms in integrating both regular and crypto payment solutions. CEO Ivan Soto-Wright emphasized the strategic nature of this acquisition, stating that it represents a pivotal moment for MoonPay as it scales up its operations to better serve global markets.
The acquisition fits into a broader strategy for MoonPay, which has been actively expanding its portfolio through several key purchases in 2025. Earlier this year, the company acquired Helio, a crypto payment processor, for $175 million, and in March it secured Iron, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, for over $100 million. The addition of Meso enhances MoonPay’s capabilities specifically in the U.S. banking sector.
With these acquisitions, MoonPay aims to construct a comprehensive payments network capable of handling everything from traditional bank transactions to cryptocurrency dealings and stablecoin payments. The firm believes that this amalgamation of services will be fundamental for creating a single, global payments ecosystem.
Despite facing challenges in the volatile crypto market, MoonPay has managed to maintain profitability. The company reported a profitable year in 2024 and anticipates that 2025 will yield the strongest earnings and cash flow to date. Earlier in the year, MoonPay laid off 10% of its workforce due to rising operational costs, but it continues to pursue growth opportunities, including a potential funding round that could elevate its valuation beyond the $3.4 billion reached in 2021.
Regulatory compliance remains a core focus for MoonPay as it navigates the evolving landscape of the crypto industry. The company has been proactive in securing necessary licenses, including MiCA approval in the Netherlands, which allows it to operate across all European Union countries, and a BitLicense and money transmitter license from New York’s Department of Financial Services for its U.S. operations. These regulatory advancements position MoonPay favorably against traditional payment providers, especially in a climate of increased regulatory scrutiny.
The Meso deal is expected to bolster MoonPay’s integration with U.S. banking systems, facilitating improved connections to ACH transfers and real-time payment networks. It will also enhance the developer tools available to other companies looking to incorporate MoonPay’s services into their platforms.
As MoonPay aims to revolutionize digital payments, it envisions a future where users can seamlessly transact using any currency—be it dollars, euros, or cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This ambition comes at a time when several businesses are increasingly considering stablecoin payments, given their stability in value compared to traditional cryptocurrencies.
As of now, MoonPay serves over 20 million customers and collaborates with nearly 500 partners. The recent acquisition is poised to amplify those figures as more companies recognize the advantage of accepting both traditional and digital payments.
In conclusion, MoonPay’s ongoing acquisition spree illustrates the rapid evolution within the digital payments landscape. Organizations that successfully unify traditional and emerging financial systems are likely to thrive, revealing a growing demand for diverse payment options. However, the success of MoonPay’s strategy will hinge on consumer adoption of cryptocurrencies for daily transactions, as most users still favor familiar methods like credit cards and bank transfers for routine purchases.