MoonPay, a leading fiat-to-crypto on-ramp provider, has announced the acquisition of Helio, a Solana-based payment processor, in a $175 million deal. The move aims to bolster MoonPay’s payment infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of crypto transactions for merchants and marketplaces globally.

Helio’s Capabilities and Reach

Helio is recognised for its advanced crypto checkout platform, which enables businesses to accept digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USD Coin (USDC). The platform is widely used in sectors such as e-commerce, digital goods, and subscription services, with over 6,000 merchants relying on its solutions. Helio has facilitated transactions worth over $1.5 billion and is integrated with popular platforms such as Discord, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

Stijn Paumen, co-founder and CEO of Helio, highlighted the company’s mission to make crypto payments accessible. “Helio has reached millions of customers through merchants in just three years,” he said. Following the acquisition, Paumen emphasised that MoonPay’s expanded capabilities could replace “slow, costly merchant payments with fast, affordable, and decentralised solutions.”

Implications of the Acquisition

MoonPay’s acquisition of Helio is expected to significantly enhance its merchant services, leveraging Helio’s blockchain-based technology to provide a more comprehensive payment solution. This aligns with MoonPay’s vision to improve the accessibility and efficiency of crypto payments for developers, merchants, and consumers.

The deal is also anticipated to increase MoonPay’s trading and marketplace volumes as the company builds on its existing user base of around 20 million customers across 160 countries.

Regulatory Milestone in Europe

The acquisition follows MoonPay’s recent approval to operate as a licensed crypto business in the Netherlands under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework. The license, issued by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (DAFM), marks a significant step for MoonPay in expanding its footprint in Europe.

Ivan Soto-Wright, co-founder and CEO of MoonPay, described the approval as a “pivotal step in solidifying the crypto industry’s role in the global economy.”

Strategic Growth and Future Plans

MoonPay’s acquisition of Helio was reportedly considered in December 2024 for $150 million but ultimately closed at $175 million. This development builds upon MoonPay’s strategic initiatives, including the introduction of its new payment tool, MoonPay Balance, in November 2024. The tool allows users to store and spend fiat balances while serving as a gateway for decentralised finance interactions.

The deal cements MoonPay’s position as a leader in the crypto payments space and underscores its commitment to delivering innovative, user-friendly payment solutions.