Airwallex continues to solidify its position as a leading global financial platform. Recent developments highlight the company’s strategic growth in Asia-Pacific markets and its focus on ensuring adequate regulatory comliance. These updates underscore Airwallex’s aim to effectively enable businesses worldwide while maintaining standards in financial integrity.
One key milestone is Airwallex’s acquisition of Paynuri Co. Ltd., a South Korean firm specializing in payment gateways, prepaid electronic instruments, and foreign exchange services.
This move extends Airwallex’s licensed operations across critical APAC regions, enabling seamless support for Korean enterprises eyeing international expansion.
It also paves the way for international companies to streamline their entry into the Korean market.
By integrating Paynuri’s capabilities, Airwallex now offers Korean users access to multi-currency business accounts for efficient banking, foreign exchange, and transfers.
Additionally, businesses can accept payments through credit cards and over 160 local methods, complete with tailored user experiences.
Spend management tools, including corporate cards, expense tracking, and AI-driven bill payments, further enhance operational efficiency.
The acquisition aligns with Korea’s booming sectors like e-commerce, creative industries, and entertainment, fueled by the global “K-wave” phenomenon. Market projections estimate this cultural export surge could hit $198 billion by 2030, creating vast opportunities for cross-border growth.
Airwallex aims to equip these businesses with streamlined financial solutions to navigate global challenges. Initial rollouts in Korea include global business accounts and payment acquiring services, with more innovations slated for 2026.
This follows Airwallex’s Series G funding round, which valued the company at $8 billion and is accelerating infrastructure development in high-potential markets like Korea.
Arnold Chan, Airwallex’s General Manager for APAC, emphasized the acquisition’s significance, noting it as a crucial step in broadening the platform’s worldwide footprint.
He highlighted the potential in Korea’s rapidly expanding industries, aiming to deliver more effective tools for borderless operations.
Similarly, Jihyung Lee, President and CEO of Invest Seoul, welcomed the investment, predicting it will bolster the financial ecosystem for both local and foreign entities, fostering digital advancements.
On the compliance front, Airwallex has reaffirmed its dedication to a program against financial crimes.
The company has pledged full cooperation with Australia’s financial regulator, AUSTRAC, for an external audit of its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) framework.
This initiative reflects Airwallex’s proactive stance on upholding the strictest regulatory norms, treating the audit as a chance for third-party affirmation of its systems.
Airwallex consistently refines its AML/CTF measures across all regions, enforcing a strict no-tolerance policy toward illicit activities. Non-compliant users are swiftly removed from the platform.
A prior independent review in 2025, following a 2024 AUSTRAC examination, verified that the Australian program’s controls adequately addressed risks based on the business’s scale and complexity.
Airwallex anticipates the forthcoming audit will validate its comprehensive approach.
These announcements come amid impressive growth metrics: Airwallex reported an 85% year-over-year revenue increase in APAC for 2025, alongside a 71% rise in transaction volumes.
Globally, the firm achieved $1.2 billion in annualized revenue and handled $266 billion in transactions by December 2025.
Airwallex plans to expand its Korean team to around 20 members by the end of 2026, recruiting across various roles to support localized operations. Together, these updates illustrate Airwallex’s balanced strategy: fueling innovation and market penetration while prioritizing ethical practices.
