Airwallex Rockets $4b in Six Months as CEO Jack Zhang Chooses AI Over IPO
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 25 June 2026
- Priority Score
- 1
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 25 June 2026, 10:00 pm
Description
Jack Zhang says he always feels like an outsider, but his company is charming investors despite pushing back a float and facing claims it is too close to China.
Summary
This reporting details the $11 billion valuation of the Melbourne-founded fintech Airwallex and its strategic pivot to prioritize AI investment over a public listing. While the company identifies as an AI-first firm, the article focuses on business growth and geopolitical tensions regarding data security and Chinese ties rather than technical AI safety or mitigation of catastrophic risks. The content highlights the rapid scaling of Australian-linked frontier technology firms but lacks substantive engagement with global AI governance frameworks or safety protocols.
Body
TechnologyAFR InterviewsPrint articlePaul SmithTechnology editorJun 25, 2026 – 9.30pmAirwallex is worth $US11 billion ($16 billion) after the Melbourne-founded start-up raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, with the Australian payments giant’s chief executive Jack Zhang saying the new financing round meant it could wait longer before going public.The Singapore-based company’s value has leapt $US3 billion in just six months, despite criticism in the United States that Airwallex is too close to Chinese authorities and is an untrustworthy holder of critical data.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleRead MoreAFR InterviewsFundingVenture capitalAirwallexJack ZhangPaymentsFintechAICanvaMelbourneUSAPaul BassatChinaBlock Inc.UKFetching latest articles