MoonPay, recognized as a leader in cryptocurrency payments, has made a significant stride in its evolution by acquiring Meso, a company known for its role in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world. This strategic acquisition is a pivotal moment for MoonPay, as it aims to establish a comprehensive global payments network that seamlessly connects banks, card networks, stablecoins, and blockchains within a unified regulatory structure, including compliance with Money Transfer Licenses (MTLs), BitLicenses, and the MiCA regulatory framework.
Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO of MoonPay, emphasized the importance of this transition, stating, “We’ve built trusted ramps that brought millions into crypto, now we’re building the global network that will move money across every form and in every market.” The leadership of Meso, with co-founders Ali Aghareza and Ben Mills, is seen as instrumental in facilitating this ambitious vision. Both Aghareza and Mills have notable backgrounds, having previously been integral to the growth of leading payment platforms like Braintree, Venmo, and PayPal.
Ali Aghareza, who will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at MoonPay, has an extensive history in engineering and technology. He was part of the original development team at Braintree and has led engineering efforts at PayPal following its acquisition of Braintree. His experience is expected to enhance MoonPay’s technological capabilities.
Ben Mills, stepping in as Senior Vice President of Product, is also a seasoned veteran in the payments industry. With a history of developing impactful products at Venmo and Braintree, Mills has also contributed to payment innovations during his tenure at Solana. His leadership is anticipated to drive the growth of MoonPay’s global product organization.
Ben Mills remarked, “MoonPay is at a pivotal moment, moving beyond ramps to build the global payments network of the future.” He expressed excitement about the prospects of integrating the regulatory foundations and expertise from various entities including Iron, Helio, and Meso, to shape this new chapter for MoonPay.
By acquiring Meso, MoonPay aims to create an infrastructure that facilitates fast and straightforward financial transactions, elevating user experiences for both consumers and businesses. This unified platform promises to provide a reliable and efficient method to manage money, further reconciling traditional and decentralized finance realms. With this acquisition, MoonPay is positioning itself to redefine how money is transferred and managed in an increasingly digital world.
