Global fintech firm Airwallex has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia to operate as a fully licensed financial services provider in the country after obtaining both e-money and Class A licenses.

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The move enables the firm to offer its complete suite of financial products to Malaysian businesses, ranging from local payments to global money movement.

Growing Footprint and Market Investment

The new licenses build on Airwallex’s earlier approvals, including its Class B Money Services Business license and status as a registered merchant acquirer. With expanded regulatory coverage, the company can now issue e-money, manage multi-currency accounts, support foreign exchange transactions, and facilitate international payouts on a single platform.

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Arnold Chan, Airwallex’s General Manager for Asia-Pacific, said Malaysia is a key market where the company aims to help businesses expand internationally.

In 2025, Airwallex expanded its local team by 66% and handled over RM2 billion in remittance transactions. It also opened a larger office in Kuala Lumpur and plans to double its workforce.

Airwallex has strengthened its global brand presence by signing a multi-year sponsorship deal with Arsenal Football Club, shortly after securing $300 million in Series F funding that valued the company at $6.2 billion.

The partnership makes Airwallex Arsenal’s Official Finance Software Partner and extends across both the men’s and women’s teams, offering the company prominent branding and content opportunities during matches at Emirates Stadium.

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As the presenting partner for Arsenal’s upcoming pre-season tour in Asia, the Melbourne-based fintech aims to leverage the collaboration to engage new audiences and showcase its payments technology on an international stage.

This latest move continues Airwallex’s broader expansion strategy, which has increasingly blended sports marketing with its financial technology growth. Following its earlier deal with McLaren Racing, the Arsenal partnership underscores Airwallex’s ambition to position itself as a leading global payments provider while aligning with iconic sports brands to boost visibility.

The fresh capital injection provides the financial backing to scale its offerings and amplify brand recognition, signaling that Airwallex’s post-funding momentum is firmly focused on deepening its global footprint through high-profile partnerships.

Elsewhere, Airwallex recently appointed former New Zealand Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Bill English as Chair of its New Zealand board, reinforcing its growing presence in the country. Since launching locally in 2023, the fintech has expanded rapidly, now serving over 1,000 New Zealand businesses and processing around NZ$2.4 billion in annual payment flows, a 240% increase from the previous year.