Stripe and Advent Explore $53.4 Billion Acquisition Bid for PayPal, Report Says

Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have reportedly made a joint offer to acquire PayPal for about $53.4 billion.

According to Reuters, the proposal was submitted earlier this month and is supported by approximately $50 billion in committed financing from banks. Under the reported terms, Stripe and Advent would share ownership of PayPal equally, with each company holding a 50% stake if the deal moves forward.

This is not the first time Stripe has been connected to a possible acquisition of PayPal. Reports published in February indicated that the payments company had been exploring a potential takeover and holding early-stage discussions, though no formal bid was presented at that time.

If finalised, the transaction would combine two of the largest players in the global digital payments industry. PayPal currently serves around 440 million active accounts and processed roughly $1.8 trillion in payment volume during 2025. Stripe, meanwhile, handled approximately $1.9 trillion in payment transactions over the same period, and its valuation reached $159 billion earlier this year.

The reported offer arrives during a critical period for PayPal. CEO Enrique Lores assumed leadership in March after the company issued a profit warning. Since taking over, Lores has outlined plans to reduce operating costs by at least $1.5 billion over the next two to three years as part of an effort to restore stronger growth. Reports have also indicated that PayPal is preparing to reduce its workforce by approximately 20% as part of its broader restructuring strategy.