Global payments platform Airwallex has partnered with BNPL Fintech Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM) to introduce the latter’s flexible installment payment options to eligible U.S. shoppers through its checkout system. The collaboration, announced on August 13, 2026, enables merchants operating on Airwallex in 35 countries to offer Affirm’s buy-now-pay-later services without needing a separate technical setup.
Airwallex, a financial technology company founded in Melbourne in 2015 and now co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, positions itself as an AI-native operating system for modern businesses.
It serves more than 676,000 companies worldwide and supports over 160 payment methods globally.
Affirm, publicly traded under the ticker AFRM, focuses on transparent consumer financing with a network that helps merchants boost sales while giving shoppers clear repayment terms.
Under the new arrangement, qualifying U.S. customers at Airwallex-powered checkouts can select from Affirm’s range of plans.
These include four interest-free payments or monthly installments lasting up to 24 months.
Affirm emphasizes that it charges no late fees or hidden charges and presents full repayment details to consumers before they finalize any purchase.
Transaction amounts typically range from $35 to $30,000.
For international merchants targeting the US market, the integration removes friction often associated with adding new payment methods.
Many platforms require separate contracts, additional dashboards, and independent management.
Airwallex handles the connection seamlessly within its existing infrastructure, allowing businesses to present a familiar local option that can improve conversion rates and average order values.
Jason Gottlieb, vice president of financial and strategic partnerships at Airwallex, highlighted the value for global sellers.
He noted that merchants select the platform specifically to maximize relevant payment choices for buyers in different regions, arguing that missing preferred options risks lost sales.
Partnering with Affirm, he said, equips international businesses with a tool to expand their reach among American consumers.
Steve McPhee, Affirm’s vice president of strategic partnerships, pointed to growing demand from overseas merchants seeking better ways to serve U.S. customers.
He described payment flexibility at checkout as a critical factor and said the collaboration simplifies access by embedding Affirm into a system merchants already use.
This approach, according to McPhee, helps brands connect with shoppers who recognize and prefer Affirm’s transparent model.
The move fits into Airwallex’s wider strategy of expanding beyond traditional cross-border payments into broader financial infrastructure.
In June 2026 the company secured $320 million in Series H funding at an $11 billion valuation, directing resources toward autonomous finance and agentic commerce tools, including AI-driven platforms and consumer wallets.
Earlier initiatives include a July 2026 collaboration with Visa focused on embedded finance solutions for freight and shipping platforms.
Industry professionals now generally view such partnerships as part of intensifying competition among payment providers to accommodate consumers who prefer spreading purchase costs rather than paying in full upfront.
For businesses selling across borders, familiar local financing options can reduce checkout abandonment and build confidence among shoppers accustomed to domestic BNPL experiences.
By combining Airwallex’s international merchant network with Affirm’s established US consumer base and transparent product design, the partnership aims to create mutual advantages: higher sales potential for merchants and greater payment choice for shoppers.