Airwallex

Overview of Airwallex

Airwallex is a modern global payments and financial platform made for today’s digital businesses. Based in Melbourne, Australia, and working across multiple continents, Airwallex provides a full range of payment gateway and financial infrastructure solutions aimed at high-growth companies, marketplaces, eCommerce brands, SaaS providers, and platforms.

Airwallex aims to make it easier for businesses to collect, convert, and move money across borders. With smooth multi-currency support, good FX rates, and strong APIs, it helps companies operate globally without the hassle of traditional banking systems.

Key Features of the Airwallex Payment Gateway

1. Global Payment Acceptance

Airwallex enables businesses to accept payments from customers around the world in over 170 countries. It supports a wide range of local and international payment methods, including:

• Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay)

• Local payment options (e.g., iDEAL, Sofort, Boleto, POLi, Klarna, and more)

• Wallet payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Alipay

• Bank transfers and SEPA direct debits

This wide range of integrations ensures that merchants can offer localized checkout experiences that increase conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

2. Multi-Currency Capabilities

One of the standout features of Airwallex is its multi-currency support. Businesses can open local currency accounts in more than 20 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CNY, and HKD, without the need for physical branches or local entities.

These global accounts allow you to:

• Receive payments in local currencies

• Avoid unnecessary FX fees

• Hold balances in foreign currencies

• Make local and international payouts efficiently

This setup significantly reduces operational costs and enhances cash flow control for international businesses.

3. Competitive FX and Transparent Fees

Airwallex offers real-time foreign exchange at interbank rates with transparent, low-margin pricing. Businesses can access FX rates that are typically 70–90% cheaper than traditional banks, with no hidden fees.

By optimizing cross-border transactions and currency conversions, Airwallex helps companies minimize overheads, especially those with global supplier networks or international customer bases.

4. Powerful Developer Tools and API Integration

Airwallex is developer-friendly, providing a robust RESTful API suite and SDKs that make integration seamless and customizable. Developers can access:

• Modular payment gateway APIs

• Real-time payment tracking

• Automated reconciliation

• Dynamic currency routing

• Integrated checkout and hosted payment pages

This modular approach gives businesses the flexibility to tailor the Airwallex infrastructure to their exact operational needs while accelerating time to market.

5. Embedded Finance and Payout Solutions

With Airwallex, businesses can go beyond just accepting payments. The platform also supports:

• Global payouts to over 150 countries in local currencies

• Mass payouts for platforms and marketplaces

• Virtual and physical cards for employee and operational spend

• Expense management tools to track and control card usage

Whether you need to pay suppliers in Asia, freelancers in Europe, or distribute marketplace earnings, Airwallex provides a unified solution that simplifies the process.

Use Cases for Businesses

Airwallex’s payment gateway is used by a wide variety of industries. Some of the most common use cases include:

• eCommerce merchants looking to localize checkout in different regions

• SaaS companies billing users in multiple currencies

• Marketplaces and platforms requiring split payments and mass payouts

• Agencies and service providers managing international clients and contractors

• Global startups and scale-ups seeking banking alternatives to traditional institutions

By centralizing financial operations in one platform, Airwallex helps streamline processes, reduce friction, and improve scalability.

Security and Compliance

Airwallex operates under a stringent regulatory framework. The company holds financial licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including:

• Australia (AFSL)

• United Kingdom (FCA)

• Hong Kong (SVF license)

• Singapore (MAS)

• United States (money service business license)

• Netherlands (DNB)

Additionally, the platform is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, ensuring the highest level of card data security. End-to-end encryption, fraud detection, and two-factor authentication further strengthen platform integrity.

This commitment to compliance gives global businesses peace of mind when processing high-volume or sensitive transactions.

Benefits of Using Airwallex

Businesses choosing Airwallex as their payment gateway provider enjoy a range of operational and strategic advantages:

Global Expansion Made Easy

Accept and settle payments globally without opening overseas bank accounts.

Reduced Payment Costs

Cut FX and transaction fees using competitive exchange rates and transparent pricing.

Full Payment Stack in One Place

From collection to settlement and payouts, everything is handled within a single ecosystem.

Scalable for Growth

API-driven infrastructure that adapts to evolving needs from small startups to enterprise clients.

Faster Settlements and Payouts

Minimize delays with local payment rails and faster fund availability.

Airwallex Checkout Experience

Airwallex’s hosted checkout and embedded components offer:

• Responsive design for mobile and desktop

• Support for local payment methods per user’s IP or geolocation

• Customizable branding for a seamless customer journey

• One-click checkout and recurring billing options

The checkout flow is optimized for speed and ease of use, reducing cart abandonment and boosting conversion.

Integration Options

Airwallex supports a variety of integration methods to meet businesses at their current stage:

• Plug-and-play plugins for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento

• Custom API integrations for developers building unique payment flows

• Partner integrations with ERPs, accounting systems, and CRMs

These options make it easy to get started with minimal disruption to existing operations.

Conclusion

Airwallex brings together the strengths of a global bank, the fast pace of a modern fintech, and the adaptability of a developer-focused platform. It offers a borderless, multi-currency payment gateway supported by a strong API setup and necessary licenses. This makes it a solid option for businesses that want to grow internationally.

With Airwallex, businesses can handle their entire global payment process, from checkout to settlement to payouts, all through one safe and scalable platform. If you’re looking to expand worldwide, cut foreign exchange costs, or create tailored payment experiences, Airwallex gives you the tools and support you need to succeed.