Australian unicorn Airwallex plans expansion of Israel operations following $11 billion valuation

Airwallex Secures Major Funding Round and Raises Valuation

Airwallex, the Australian-founded fintech company, recently completed a $320 million Series H funding round. This round lifted the company's valuation to $11 billion, an increase from the $8 billion level recorded in December 2025. The investment was led by Addition, with participation from Baillie Gifford, Hummingbird, QED Investors, and T. Rowe Price.

The announcement comes at a time when cross-border financial technology continues to attract institutional interest. Airwallex's ability to deliver multi-currency accounts and financial APIs has positioned it as a notable player in global payments infrastructure.

Tel Aviv Operations Set for Significant Growth

Airwallex has confirmed plans to expand its recruitment operations in Tel Aviv. The Israel team, established in 2021, is expected to increase in size by 43 percent by the end of 2026. The company will also relocate its Tel Aviv center to larger offices to accommodate the additional staff.

Or Liban, vice president and head of Airwallex's Tel Aviv center, stated: "Here in Israel, we remain committed to scaling our operations and increasing our investment in the Tel Aviv center." This commitment aligns with the broader pattern of international fintech firms choosing Tel Aviv for engineering and product development talent.

Tel Aviv's startup ecosystem offers a dense concentration of engineers experienced in payments, compliance, and API development. Airwallex's decision to deepen its presence reflects the city's established role within Israel's fintech sector.

Company Origins and Dual Headquarters Structure

Airwallex was founded in 2015 in Melbourne, Australia, by Jack Zhang and co-founders. The company maintains dual headquarters in Singapore and San Francisco while operating development and operational teams across multiple regions, including the Tel Aviv center opened in 2021.

Its core offerings include cross-border payments, multi-currency accounts, and financial APIs designed for businesses managing international transactions. These services have supported steady growth in the Israel team since its launch four years ago.

Strategic Direction Toward AI-Driven Finance

Alongside the funding announcement, Airwallex outlined plans to advance into AI-driven autonomous finance and agentic commerce. These initiatives aim to automate financial workflows and enable more dynamic transaction handling for enterprise clients.

The Tel Aviv expansion is expected to support these technology priorities. Israel's concentration of expertise in machine learning and data infrastructure provides a logical base for development work in these areas.

Context Within Israel's Fintech Landscape

Israel has developed a recognized position as a fintech hub, with Tel Aviv serving as the primary cluster for payments, compliance, and enterprise software companies. International firms frequently establish teams in the city to access specialized engineering talent while maintaining global headquarters elsewhere.

Airwallex's increased investment in its Tel Aviv center follows this established pattern. The 43 percent team growth target and planned office move indicate a multi-year commitment rather than a short-term project.

Local observers note that such expansions contribute to knowledge transfer and strengthen connections between Israeli engineers and global financial technology platforms. The company's focus on cross-border payments also intersects with areas where Israeli firms have built substantial experience.

Outlook for Continued Regional Presence

Airwallex's recent funding and expansion plans signal sustained interest in the Tel Aviv technology ecosystem. The combination of new capital, stated growth targets, and leadership comments from Or Liban points to operational scaling through at least the end of 2026.

As the company pursues AI-driven financial products, its Israel operations are positioned to play a larger role in product development. This development fits within the wider trend of fintech companies leveraging Israel's engineering base while serving international markets from dual headquarters in Singapore and San Francisco.