Stripe and Advent reportedly team up to bid $53B for PayPal

Stripe and private equity firm Advent International have made a $53 billion bid to acquire PayPal, offering $60.50 per share. The proposal highlights ongoing consolidation in the payments industry as PayPal pursues a restructuring aimed at restoring growth.

Sources said the offer was submitted earlier this month and is supported by around $50 billion in committed financing from banks. The bid carries a roughly 28% premium to PayPal’s latest closing share price and follows an initial approach in April. Stripe and Advent intend to jointly own PayPal with equal stakes if a transaction proceeds, although discussions remain preliminary.

The proposed takeover comes during a period of significant change at PayPal, which has struggled with slowing growth and increased competition from digital payment rivals such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

CEO Enrique Lores has launched a turnaround strategy that includes restructuring the business, management changes, and plans to use AI to improve efficiency while reinvesting approximately $1.5 billion in future growth.

The potential acquisition would be one of the largest transactions in a wave of payments-sector M&A, following recent deals involving Worldpay and Payoneer. For Stripe, currently valued at $159 billion, the transaction would further strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving global payments market.