Fintech moved deeper into capital, credit, and control this week.
Stripe is reportedly weighing a move on PayPal. Capitolis is expanding its secured financing reach in U.S. markets. Común is scaling a digital banking model built around immigrant remittances. Affirm is widening its retail footprint through Lowe’s while publishing measurable lending data. Yendo secured another $200 million to fund vehicle-backed credit growth.
Each story points to the same underlying reality. Growth in fintech now depends on funding capacity, distribution strength, underwriting discipline, and regulatory alignment. Capital access, infrastructure depth, and risk management are defining who can keep expanding in a market that demands durability.
1) Stripe Weighs Potential Acquisition of PayPal as Shares Jump on Report
PayPal shares rose nearly 7% after a report that fintech giant Stripe is in early discussions about a potential acquisition of the payments company.
According to Bloomberg, Stripe is exploring the possibility of buying all or parts of PayPal’s business. The talks are described as preliminary, and neither company has commented publicly on the report.
The development comes at a moment of transition for PayPal. The company’s stock has fallen sharply over the past year amid slowing growth and intensifying competition in digital payments. It has shed nearly a third of its market value in 2025, and recently issued softer profit guidance. Enrique Lores, previously CEO of HP, is set to take over leadership at the start of March.
Stripe, meanwhile, continues to strengthen its financial position. The privately held payments infrastructure company reached a $159 billion valuation following a recent secondary share sale and said its revenue suite is on track to reach a $1 billion annual run rate this year. Co-founder John Collison has indicated that an IPO is not an immediate priority, as the company remains focused on product and operational growth.
A transaction of this scale would mark one of the most consequential deals in the history of digital payments, consolidating two companies that helped define online commerce infrastructure over the past two decades. For now, the discussions remain exploratory, but the market reaction underscores how closely investors are watching the competitive balance at the top of fintech.
2) Capitolis to Acquire U.S. Secured Financing Platform From 20 Gates Management
Capitolis has agreed to acquire a U.S. secured financing platform from New York–based investment manager 20 Gates Management, expanding the reach of its Capital Marketplace offering.
The transaction, expected to close in the coming weeks, will integrate U.S. secured financing capabilities into Capitolis’ platform, which already supports similar solutions in Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Capitolis operates a capital markets fintech platform that connects financial institutions with institutional investors, helping optimize balance sheets and improve capital efficiency. By adding the 20 Gates secured financing business, the company aims to broaden its client base and bring an established group of major financial institutions onto its marketplace.
As part of the deal, Capitolis will also add experienced industry professionals from 20 Gates to its team. CEO and founder Gil Mandelzis said the acquisition builds on a long-standing relationship between the two organizations, which have previously partnered.
The move follows a period of leadership expansion at Capitolis in 2025, including the appointments of a new president, chief product officer, and chief operating officer. The addition of U.S. secured financing strengthens Capitolis’ position in capital markets infrastructure, where technology platforms are increasingly central to liquidity management and funding access.
3) Común Scales Immigrant-Focused Digital Banking Model Amid Political Uncertainty
Común, a New York–based digital banking fintech serving Hispanic immigrants, has more than doubled revenue to $12.5 million and reached 276,000 open accounts, earning a spot on the 2026 Fintech 50 list.
Founded by Andres Santos and Abiel Gutierrez, Común offers free checking accounts, Visa debit cards, access to 88,000 ATMs, and low-cost remittances. Customers can open accounts online using more than 100 forms of Latin American identification, addressing a segment often excluded from traditional digital onboarding processes.
Revenue is diversified across debit card interchange fees, international transfers, and other banking-related income. The average international transfer on the platform is $235, with fees typically set at $2.99 plus a foreign exchange spread, positioning the service below many storefront remittance providers.
Común operates through regulated banking partners, including Community Federal Savings Bank and Cross River Bank. In 2023, the company relaunched its platform with enhanced know-your-customer systems and expanded fraud monitoring capabilities. It has since added peer-to-peer transfer services and is exploring loan products and stablecoin-based remittance options.
The company raised $19.5 million in October 2025 at a $200 million valuation, bringing total funding to $49.5 million.
Común’s growth comes amid shifting political dynamics around immigration and banking access. Its leadership has emphasized compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and regulatory oversight, positioning access to regulated financial services as a way to maintain transparency within the financial system.
The fintech’s expansion highlights continued demand for digital banking products tailored to underserved communities, particularly those with cross-border financial needs.
4) Affirm Reports Growth in Active Users and Expands BNPL Access Through Lowe’s Partnership
Affirm released its FY2025 Corporate Impact Report outlining operational growth and lending data, while also announcing a new retail partnership with home improvement giant Lowe’s.
In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, Affirm served approximately 23 million active consumers across all U.S. states and partnered with roughly 377,000 merchants. Gross merchandise volume reached $36.7 billion, with 95% of transactions coming from repeat users. The company processed more than 134 million transactions during the period and does not charge late fees.
The report states that 53% of borrowers had FICO scores below 660, with an average score of 649 and average household income around $73,000. Affirm estimates that U.S. households could have avoided up to $18 billion in interest in 2024 by using its installment model instead of revolving credit cards, with subprime borrowers saving an average of $840.
Alongside the report, Affirm announced a collaboration with Lowe’s, enabling customers to access installment payment plans through Lowe’s website and mobile app. Payment options include biweekly and monthly plans, with rates ranging from 0% to 36% APR depending on credit profile and purchase size. A down payment may be required for larger transactions.
Lowe’s reported more than $83 billion in fiscal 2024 sales and operates over 1,700 stores. The partnership extends Affirm’s presence in the home improvement sector and adds a large national retailer to its merchant network, which now includes nearly 478,000 partners.
Affirm’s update reflects continued expansion of buy now, pay later services within mainstream retail, supported by repeat usage and structured underwriting frameworks.
5) Yendo Secures $200 Million Warehouse Facility From i80 Group to Fund Credit Expansion
Consumer finance fintech Yendo has secured a new $200 million warehouse facility from returning investor i80 Group, strengthening its capacity to scale originations of its vehicle-secured credit card product.
The commitment expands on i80 Group’s previous $150 million debt facility provided in 2024 and follows Yendo’s $50 million Series B round in October 2025. Financial backers in that equity round included Autotech Ventures, FPV Ventures, and Mark Cuban.
Founded in 2021, Yendo offers a credit card product secured by vehicle equity, allowing consumers in 45 U.S. states to access up to $10,000 in revolving credit without relying primarily on traditional credit scores. The newly secured warehouse facility is intended to fund up to $200 million in additional credit card originations.
CEO Jordan Miller said the funding will support responsible scaling and broaden access to transparent credit products designed to serve consumers who may face barriers in traditional underwriting systems.
The company has also expanded its executive team, including the appointment of Thibault Fulconis, formerly CFO of Varo Bank, as its new chief financial officer.
Warehouse financing facilities are central to lending fintech operations, determining how much capital platforms can deploy and how quickly they can expand. With this new commitment, Yendo strengthens its funding base as it continues to build out its vehicle-backed revolving credit model.
